A tragic incident occurred on Thursday after a three-storey building undergoing partial demolition collapsed in the Apapa area of Lagos, leaving one person dead and several others injured.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the development, noting that the structure, located at No. 28 Baale Alayabiagba Street in the Alayabiagba community of Ajegunle, crumbled in the late morning hours.
According to the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, emergency response teams were swiftly deployed to the scene after distress calls were received at about 11:09 a.m.
“Upon arrival, our operatives discovered that a three-storey building with a penthouse had collapsed.
“Eight adult males were rescued alive, administered first aid, and immediately transported to Ajeromi General Hospital for further medical attention,” he said.
He added that one person had, however, recovered lifeless from the debris.
“Sadly, one adult male could not make it despite our rescue efforts,” Oke-Osanyintolu stated, describing the incident as “a painful reminder of the need for strict adherence to building safety standards.”
Eyewitnesses in the area told reporters that the building had been under manual demolition when it suddenly gave way, trapping several workers beneath the rubble.
One of the residents, identified as Musa Ibrahim, said, “We heard a loud crash and ran towards the site.
“Some of the workers managed to escape, but a few were stuck inside before help came.”
Although officials suspect that the ongoing demolition may have contributed to the collapse, LASEMA emphasised that investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause.
“We have commenced a joint probe with relevant agencies to uncover what went wrong,” the Permanent Secretary added.
Rescue and emergency personnel from multiple agencies were involved in the operation, including the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps, the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the Nigeria Police Force.
As of the time of filing this report, search and recovery efforts were still underway to ensure no additional victims remain trapped beneath the wreckage.