Residents of the Odo-Kekere community in Ikorodu, Lagos State, were gripped by fear on Thursday evening after part of a building at a public school in the area suddenly caved in.
The incident, which occurred after the close of school activities, was said to have been accompanied by a loud noise that drew neighbours and passers-by to the scene.
Sources said a section of the ageing structure gave way late in the evening, raising concerns over the condition of public school infrastructure in the community.
Officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency and the Lagos State Building Control Agency were swiftly deployed to the area, where they secured the premises to prevent further danger.
Preliminary findings indicated that no pupils were in the classrooms at the time of the collapse, a development residents described as a fortunate escape from a potential tragedy.
Emergency responders were said to be carrying out checks around the building to ensure that no security personnel or school workers were trapped under the debris.
A resident, Mrs Boluwaji Aderinto, whose house is close to the school, said the incident had heightened anxiety among parents and community leaders who had previously raised concerns about the deteriorating state of the school buildings.
She said the sound of the collapse was frightening, adding that the outcome could have been disastrous if it had happened during school hours.
Meanwhile, officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Education have visited the scene to assess the damage and determine the next steps.
A senior ministry official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that top officers, including the Tutor-General and Permanent Secretary of Education District II, were already on ground to evaluate the situation and recommend appropriate action.