A tragic incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon when a building under construction collapsed on Oriwu Street in the Lekki Phase 1 area of Lagos State, trapping several workers under the rubble. The collapse, which took place at around 4:00 PM, has left the authorities and residents in shock as rescue operations continue to save those trapped.
According to Benjamin Hundeyin, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, the building’s collapse occurred at approximately 4 PM, and emergency responders quickly mobilised to the site. Hundeyin confirmed that 14 people had been rescued from the wreckage and were rushed to Lagos Island General Hospital for medical treatment.
“Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have been mobilised to the scene of the collapse of a building under construction at Oriwu Street, Lekki Phase 1 which occurred at about 1600hrs today,” Hundeyin said in a statement. “A total of 14 persons have so far been rescued and taken to Lagos Island General Hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, operatives of the Command remain on ground to provide security for the ongoing rescue operation.”
As of now, the cause of the collapse has not been officially confirmed, but construction accidents, including building collapses, are not uncommon in Nigeria, where regulatory enforcement in the construction industry has often been criticised for being lax. In the Lekki area, where rapid urbanisation and construction are taking place at a fast pace, incidents like this raise concerns about the safety standards and oversight of building projects.
While authorities continue their investigation into the cause, residents of Lekki Phase 1 and surrounding areas have expressed their concerns about the frequent occurrence of such accidents in Lagos. There have been several reports of buildings collapsing across different parts of the state, leading to questions regarding the quality of construction materials, as well as the enforcement of building regulations.
The collapse of buildings in Lagos State is a recurring issue, with several previous incidents raising alarms about the safety of structures under construction. In 2020, a building under construction in the Ita-Faji area of Lagos Island collapsed, leading to the deaths of several people. Additionally, in 2021, another building in the Ejigbo area of Lagos fell, resulting in casualties and severe injuries. These incidents have prompted calls for more stringent regulations and better oversight in the construction industry.
Emergency workers, including police operatives and other rescue teams, are still working tirelessly at the scene to ensure that all trapped individuals are safely rescued. The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) is also on the ground, providing assistance with the recovery process. The situation remains tense as rescue workers continue to sift through the rubble to find any additional survivors.
