By Amofokhai Williams
A routine demolition turned deadly on Thursday morning when a three-storey building under manual demolition suddenly collapsed in the Alayabiagba community of Ajegunle, Apapa, Lagos trapping several workers beneath concrete and twisted metal.
The Alarmee reports that the incident, which occurred at 28, Baale Alayabiagba Street, has left one worker dead and eight others injured, according to officials.
Emergency crews were dispatched to the scene at 11:09 a.m. after receiving distress calls.
Upon arrival, responders from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) found a scene of devastation where the building, which also featured a penthouse, had completely given way.
Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, confirmed the casualty figures in a preliminary report.
“Eight adult male have been rescued alive, while one adult male was recovered dead from the rubble of the collapsed building,” Dr. Oke-Osanyintolu stated.
The rescued victims were immediately administered first aid by paramedics from the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) before being transported to Ajeromi General Hospital for further treatment. The body of the deceased was moved to the hospital’s mortuary.
Preliminary information from the agency suggests the building was in the process of being manually demolished when it unexpectedly collapsed, trapping workers who were on site at the time.
The exact cause of the collapse remains under investigation.
A multi-agency response team swiftly mobilized to coordinate rescue efforts. Personnel from LASEMA, Lagos State Fire Service, Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), LASAMBUS, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the Nigeria Police Force all participated in the operation.
Responders conducted a coordinated search of the incident scene and worked to manage the complex rescue operation amid the unstable rubble.
The collaborative effort focused on locating and extracting any trapped victims as quickly as possible.
As of the latest reports, search and rescue operations are still ongoing, with emergency personnel continuing to comb through the debris to ensure no one remains trapped.
Building collapses remain a significant concern in Nigeria, particularly in densely populated urban areas like Lagos where enforcement of building regulations can be inconsistent.
