Nine Dead, 27 Rescued in Lagos Building Collapse 

Juliet Oladele, Reporting 

NINE people have been confirmed dead and 27 others rescued alive following the collapse of a two-storey building in the Alakija area of Lagos State, prompting authorities to order the immediate demolition of all distressed structures in the vicinity.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed that rescue operations at the site on Alakija Bus Stop, Satellite Town, in the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area have now been concluded.

“Twenty-seven persons were rescued alive through coordinated efforts by the LASEMA Response Team, sister agencies, and members of the community,” said Afolabi Olawale, LASEMA’s Head of Public Affairs. “Victims received immediate pre-hospital care from LASAMBUS and were transferred to nearby hospitals for further treatment.”

In a sombre update, the agency confirmed that nine fatalities were recovered from the rubble, including four adults who were already dead before emergency responders arrived.

Among the deceased was a two-year-old baby girl, whose body was respectfully bagged and handed over to the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit for identification and release to her family.

The rescue effort was led by LASEMA’s Director of Operations, Olanrewaju Akinsanya, and Cappa Base Coordinator Salami, with a heavy-duty excavator deployed alongside two CCECC excavators already on site to safely access trapped victims.

During an inspection of the disaster site, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, revealed that the collapsed building had previously been marked for demolition, but occupants had refused to vacate the premises.

“All distressed structures and buildings under high tension will be pulled down to prevent further disaster in the area,” Omotoso declared.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has also directed the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) to commence immediate structural integrity assessments of adjoining buildings and enforce compliance with building codes in the area.

The tragedy comes less than 24 hours after another building collapse in Rivers State, raising fresh concerns about the increasing frequency of such incidents across the country.

Experts have attributed the rising spate of structural failures to multiple factors, including the use of substandard building materials, inadequate regulatory enforcement, and disregard for safety protocols by developers.

The Lagos State Government has extended condolences to the families of the deceased while wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

Residents have been urged to report any distressed buildings to LASBCA and LASEMA as authorities intensify efforts to prevent further tragedies.