Two people have been confirmed dead, and six others sustained injuries after a two-storey building collapsed on Wednesday in the Lekki area of Lagos. This latest incident adds to the litany of building collapses that have plagued Lagos State in recent years, raising serious concerns about the structural integrity of buildings and the enforcement of construction regulations in Nigeria’s commercial hub.
Emergency responders from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) were able to rescue six individuals, who were rushed to Marina General Hospital for treatment. Earlier reports from the police indicated that about 14 people had been rescued from the site before the recovery of the two bodies.
Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, LASEMA Permanent Secretary, confirmed the incident and stated that investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the collapse. “So far, two adult males have been extricated from the rubble of the collapsed building. Six seriously injured adult males were rescued and were administered immediate medical care by the LRU Pre-Hospital Care Unit before being transported to Marina General Hospital for further treatment,” he said.
He added that the LASEMA Response Team, in collaboration with other stakeholders, has commenced search and rescue operations. “The teams have rescued six victims and extricated two dead bodies. Search and rescue operations are still ongoing as of the time of filing this report,” Oke-Osanyintolu stated.
This incident is the latest in a series of building collapses that have occurred in Lagos, highlighting the urgent need for stricter enforcement of building codes and regulations. In recent years, Lagos has witnessed multiple tragic building collapses, often attributed to poor construction practices, the use of substandard materials, and a lack of proper oversight by regulatory authorities.
The frequency of these incidents has sparked public outrage and calls for accountability. Many have criticized the Lagos State government for failing to address the root causes of these collapses, including corruption, inadequate inspections, and the proliferation of illegal structures. In response to previous incidents, the government has pledged to demolish unsafe buildings and prosecute those responsible for violating construction standards. However, the continued occurrence of such tragedies suggests that more needs to be done to ensure compliance and protect lives.
Building collapses in Lagos have not only resulted in loss of life and injuries but have also displaced families and disrupted communities. The Lekki collapse, in particular, has drawn attention to the rapid and often unregulated development in the area, which has become a hotspot for real estate investments due to its proximity to the Lekki Free Trade Zone and the upcoming Lekki Deep Sea Port.
As search and rescue operations continue at the site, questions remain about whether this latest incident will prompt meaningful action from authorities to prevent future tragedies. For now, the families of the victims and survivors are left to grapple with the devastating consequences of yet another avoidable disaster.
The Lagos State government has yet to issue a detailed statement on the cause of the collapse or outline specific measures to address the systemic issues contributing to the crisis. However, stakeholders and residents alike are urging the government to prioritize public safety by enforcing stricter building regulations, conducting regular inspections, and holding accountable those who flout the law.
Until these measures are implemented, the threat of more building collapses looms large over Lagos, leaving its residents vulnerable to further loss of life and property.
