Tragedy struck again in Lagos on Thursday when a three-storey building collapsed in the Ajegunle area of Apapa, leaving one person dead and eight others injured.
The incident occurred at about 11:09 a.m. at No. 28, Baale Alayabiagba Street, in the Alayabiagba community of Ajegunle, Apapa Local Government Area.
Confirming the incident, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said its emergency response team arrived at the scene shortly after receiving distress calls. Rescue operations were immediately launched to save victims trapped under the rubble.
The Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the three-storey building, which also had a penthouse, collapsed completely while some workers were inside.
“Following distress alerts at about 11:09 a.m., LASEMA activated the state’s emergency response plans from Agbowa and Alausa. Upon arrival, it was discovered that a three-storey building with a penthouse had collapsed,” he said.
Oke-Osanyintolu confirmed that eight adult males were rescued alive from the wreckage. They were given first aid by paramedics from the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) and later taken to Ajeromi General Hospital for further treatment.
Sadly, one adult male victim was recovered dead from the site.
While the exact cause of the collapse has not been officially confirmed, eyewitnesses told reporters that the building was undergoing manual demolition when it suddenly gave way.
According to a resident who identified himself as Tunde Ade, some workers were inside the building clearing debris when the structure collapsed unexpectedly.
“They were already demolishing the building when we suddenly heard a loud noise. Before we could rush out, the entire structure had fallen. We started calling for help immediately,” he said.
The quick arrival of emergency responders helped prevent further loss of life. The rescue team worked for hours to clear the debris and ensure no one was trapped.
Dr. Oke-Osanyintolu said all emergency agencies worked in coordination to complete the rescue and recovery operation.
“We had officers from LASEMA, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the Nigeria Police Force,” he said.
He added that the site had been cordoned off to prevent further danger, and investigation was ongoing to determine the cause of the collapse.
“The recovery operation has been completed. The next step is to determine what went wrong — whether it was due to poor construction, weak materials, or unsafe demolition practices,” he said.
Building collapses remain a recurring tragedy in Lagos State, often linked to poor construction practices, illegal alterations, or lack of proper supervision.
In recent years, the state has recorded several deadly collapses in areas like Ikoyi, Mushin, and Ebute-Metta, prompting the government to tighten building regulations and demolish structures considered unsafe.
Despite these efforts, incidents continue to occur, especially in older neighborhoods where many buildings have deteriorated over time or were constructed without proper approval.
The latest incident adds to the growing list of building collapses in Lagos this year, highlighting the urgent need for consistent enforcement of safety measures across the state.
