By Jeffrey Agbo
A tragic building collapse in the Ota-Ona area of Ikorodu, Lagos State, has left one person dead and several others injured, authorities confirmed on Tuesday.
The incident occurred at an uncompleted two-storey structure situated behind a bungalow on Obafemi Awolowo Road.
According to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the building caved in while 14 people were inside, trapping all occupants beneath the rubble.
Rescue efforts led by multiple emergency response teams successfully pulled 10 adult males, aged between 28 and 35, from the debris. They were transported to an undisclosed hospital for medical treatment. However, one individual was later recovered dead, while three others remain unaccounted for as search operations continue.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the number of occupants and the ongoing rescue mission. A statement released by the agency’s spokesperson, Amodu Shakiru, on behalf of the Director, Margaret Adeseye, described the structure as being built on a land space of approximately 648 square metres.
The statement read, “It’s a rescue involving the collapse of an uncompleted two-storey building located at the back of a bungalow, consisting of two rooms and a parlour, all built on a land space of about 648 square metres.”
It added, “A total number of 14 people were in the building. Ten adult males, aged between 28 and 35, were rescued and taken to an undisclosed hospital for treatment. As of this report, rescue and search operations are still ongoing for the remaining persons.”
Several government agencies have been mobilised to the scene, including the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, Lagos State Building Control Agency, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Police Force, and the Federal Road Safety Corps.
This incident follows another building collapse in April in the Ojodu Berger area of Lagos, where five people lost their lives after a three-storey structure, which reportedly housed a popular restaurant and was under construction, collapsed in the early morning hours.
Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the latest collapse.
