The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has announced its decision to demolish a building in the Onigbongbo Police Barracks in Ikeja due to its deteriorating condition.
In a statement issued by LASEMA on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, the agency explained that the building has become structurally unsafe, prompting an immediate evacuation order for its occupants.
Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, revealed that a response team was dispatched to the police barracks following concerns raised about the safety of the structure.
The team’s findings confirmed that the building was in a highly distressed state, and immediate action was required to prevent potential disasters.
Oke-Osanyintolu said, “The agency dispatched a response team to the location, and the findings indicate that the building and those adjacent must be evacuated with immediate effect.”
This marks the beginning of a carefully planned operation to demolish the affected structure in a controlled manner.
The demolition process will be conducted in phases to ensure the safety of the residents and nearby buildings. LASEMA’s decision comes as part of a broader commitment to public safety under the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The agency is tasked with ensuring that dangerous structures across the state are dealt with promptly to avoid possible secondary incidents such as building collapses.
According to Oke-Osanyintolu, “We are conducting a response plan that comprises assessment, safe and orderly evacuation, and controlled demolition.”
This proactive approach highlights the state government’s emphasis on preventing tragedies linked to unsafe buildings. In recent years, Lagos has witnessed several building collapses, which have resulted in significant loss of life and property. The government’s intervention in the Onigbongbo Police Barracks demolition is an attempt to avoid such incidents.
The affected building is located in the Onigbongbo area, specifically at Old Block 3, MOPOL 20 Police Barracks, Ikeja GRA, behind Area F. The site has been marked as unsafe, and LASEMA’s team is already on the ground, coordinating evacuation and demolition efforts.
Dr. Oke-Osanyintolu reassured residents in the area that the demolition would be conducted with utmost care, and there was no need for panic.
“Remain calm and refrain from panicking or circulating misleading information via social media,” he urged.
He also called on the public to avoid unnecessary alarm and assured that the situation was under control.
The evacuation and demolition are being carried out with full attention to safety and the well-being of all involved.
The issue of unsafe buildings has been a recurring concern in Lagos, a city known for its rapid urbanisation.
Many older buildings, particularly in densely populated areas, have fallen into disrepair, putting residents at risk.
The Onigbongbo Police Barracks is just one of many such structures identified for demolition or renovation by LASEMA and other government agencies.
The Lagos State government has made significant efforts to address this issue, with Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration taking decisive steps to identify and manage structurally weak buildings.
The controlled demolition of the Onigbongbo Police Barracks is part of this larger initiative to ensure the safety of residents and prevent further tragedies.
LASEMA’s statement also emphasized the importance of taking preventive measures in such situations, noting that leaving the building unmanaged could lead to catastrophic consequences.
“Under the watchful eye of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration, we will be carrying out this preemptive demolition action due to the precarious conditions of the building and possible secondary incidents that could occur if left unmanaged,” Oke-Osanyintolu stated.
The agency has urged the residents of the building and surrounding structures to cooperate fully with evacuation efforts.
The safety of the residents is the top priority, and their timely evacuation is crucial to ensuring that the demolition can proceed without any risk to human life.
As part of its standard protocol, LASEMA will not only demolish the unsafe structure but will also conduct a thorough assessment of adjacent buildings to ensure they are structurally sound.
Any buildings found to be unsafe will also be marked for either renovation or demolition.
Oke-Osanyintolu further explained that LASEMA would carry out the evacuation and demolition with all necessary safety precautions in place, including the deployment of emergency personnel to manage the situation.
This demolition comes amid growing concerns over the structural integrity of many older buildings in Lagos. The state has seen a number of tragic building collapses in recent years, which have been linked to poor construction practices, lack of maintenance, and structural decay.
The Lagos State government, through LASEMA and other relevant agencies, has intensified efforts to inspect and address unsafe buildings to prevent further loss of life.
In March 2022, a building collapse in the Ebute Metta area of Lagos left over 10 people dead, drawing widespread attention to the issue of building safety in the state.
Since then, the government has ramped up its inspections and interventions, leading to the identification and demolition of several unsafe structures across the city.
