The death toll from Tuesday’s building collapse in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State has risen to three, according to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).
In a statement issued on Wednesday, LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed that the bodies of three victims who were trapped under the rubble had been recovered. He also said that nine adult males were rescued from the site and given immediate medical attention by the agency’s Pre-Hospital Care Unit.
The incident occurred around 2:02 p.m. on Tuesday when LASEMA received a distress call reporting the collapse of a two-storey building under construction. Emergency response teams from the Agbowa and Alausa divisions were quickly mobilized to the scene.
“Upon arrival at 2:40 p.m., it was discovered that a two-storey building undergoing construction had collapsed, with three persons trapped under the debris,” Oke-Osanyintolu said. “Unfortunately, the trapped individuals were later recovered dead.”
He added that all recovered bodies have been handed over to the Igbogbo Police Station for further procedures. The cause of the collapse has not yet been determined, but investigations are ongoing.
The incident has once again drawn attention to concerns about building safety and construction standards in Lagos, especially in fast-growing suburban areas like Ikorodu.
As part of safety precautions, the entire area around the collapsed building has been cordoned off to prevent further risks to residents and rescue workers. LASEMA also stated that search and rescue operations are still ongoing to ensure no one is left under the debris.
Building collapses remain a recurring issue in Lagos, often linked to the use of substandard materials, poor supervision, and disregard for building regulations. Experts have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement of construction laws and routine inspections to prevent such tragedies.
Meanwhile, the state government has urged developers to comply with approved building codes and to ensure proper engineering oversight on all construction projects.
LASEMA has assured the public that further updates will be provided as the rescue operation progresses and more details are gathered about the cause of the collapse.
