A tragic incident unfolded on Saturday morning in Ojodu-Berger, Lagos, when a storey building under construction collapsed on Oremeta Street. The building caved in around 8 AM, trapping several individuals beneath the rubble.
Emergency responders from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) quickly arrived at the scene and have so far rescued five people. Damilola Oke-Osanyitolu, the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, confirmed that efforts are ongoing to reach “ground zero” and locate any additional victims still buried under the debris.
Concerns about the building’s stability had been raised by local residents. A frequent visitor to the ground-floor restaurant reported that the structure had shown signs of distress, including water leaking from the decking even during dry weather. Despite alarms raised about the construction of a third storey, no action was taken to address the community’s concerns.
A local resident, Abiola David, shared that a car parked inside the premises, along with its owner and son, is also trapped in the collapse.
Rescue operations are actively underway, with responders working diligently to clear the rubble and save those who remain trapped. This incident highlights ongoing issues related to building safety and construction practices in Lagos. Updates will follow as the situation develops.
