Nine persons have been confirmed dead, with 27 others rescued alive in a building collapse in the Alakija area of Lagos State.
In a statement, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), however, stated that rescue operations have been concluded at the site of the collapsed two-storey building at Alakija Bus Stop, Satellite Town, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area.
“Twenty-seven persons were rescued alive through coordinated efforts by the LASEMA Response Team, sister agencies, and members of the community. Victims received immediate pre-hospital care from LASAMBUS and were transferred to nearby hospitals for further treatment,” the statement from LASEMA Head of Public Affairs, Afolabi Olawale, read.
“Nine fatalities recovered, including four adults confirmed dead before responders’ arrival, and five additional victims, including a two-year-old baby girl. All deceased were respectfully bagged and handed over to the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit, SEHMU, for identification and onwards release to families.”
Giving a breakdown of the rescue activities, LASEMA said its “Director of Operations, Olanrewaju Akinsanya, and Cappa Base Coordinator, Salami, led operations on the ground.
“LASEMA’s heavy-duty excavator was deployed to augment two CCECC excavators already on site, enabling safe access to trapped victims and accelerating the operation to ground zero,” it said.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has commiserated with the families of the deceased, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
Following the incident, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) to commence immediate structural integrity assessment of adjoining buildings and enforce compliance with building codes in the area.
The agency reaffirms its commitment to rapid response, professionalism, and inter-agency collaboration, asking citizens to report distressed buildings to LASBCA and LASEMA.
The incident occurred less than 24 hours after another building collapsed in Rivers State, raising concerns over the rising spate of structural collapses in the country.
