Tragedy struck early Saturday morning when a two-storey building collapsed on Oremeta Street in the Ojodu-Berger area of Lagos State, leaving one person dead and 13 others rescued from the rubble.
EpeInsights reports that the ill-fated structure, which housed a local restaurant was said to have caved in around 8:00 a.m., causing panic in the community as emergency responders raced to the scene.
Eyewitnesses say the building had been undergoing construction work at the time of the incident.
Confirming the development, the South-West Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye, stated that 13 individuals were pulled out alive, while one adult was confirmed dead. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with the cause of the collapse yet to be officially determined.
Reacting to the incident, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) urged residents to stay calm and allow rescue teams to continue operations unimpeded. The Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr. Damilola Oke-Osanyitolu, assured the public that the state’s emergency response team is working round the clock under the directive of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
“We’ve activated the Lagos State emergency response plan. Our team is being meticulous in the operation, and we’ll get to ground zero to ensure no one is left behind,” Oke-Osanyitolu said.
Concerns have also been raised by locals about the structural integrity of the building. A resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, blamed the collapse on poor construction practices, particularly the addition of a new floor that allegedly compromised the foundation.
“There were clear signs that the building wasn’t stable, especially with the recent work being done. The contractor should have known better,” the resident said, calling for improved building regulation and monitoring across the state.
As rescue efforts continue, authorities are expected to provide a comprehensive report once operations conclude.
