What was meant to be the demolition of a two-storey building in Aboru, Alimosho, Lagos, ended in tragedy yesterday when the structure collapsed, killing one person and injuring two others.

The building, located at No. 42, Governors Road, Aboru, reportedly collapsed while it was being manually demolished.

Two adult males were rescued from the rubble, but one other man was found dead beneath the collapsed structure.

The incident has raised questions over compliance with Lagos State’s building and demolition regulations, with the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) saying it was neither contacted nor informed before the demolition commenced.

Speaking with The Guardian, Director of the agency’s Public Affairs Unit, Ademuyiwa Adu, described the exercise as an illegal demolition and warned that the property could be seized.

“We were not involved or informed about the demolition. The punishment is confiscation of the property. Demolition has a process and must pass through us, and we are the only ones legally authorised to carry out demolition,” Adu said.

Under the state’s regulations, property owners are required to obtain the appropriate demolition permit from the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) before removing a structure. LASBCA is also responsible for monitoring structural safety and compliance.

Officials said defaulters could be made to bear the cost of removing demolition remnants, while the government may also take steps to seize its interest in the affected property.

Following the collapse, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) received a distress call and dispatched its Alpha Eagle Response Team from the Cappa, Oshodi Response Unit.

LASEMA subsequently activated the state’s Emergency Response Plan and assumed incident command to coordinate the rescue operation.

The two survivors were extricated from the rubble and given emergency first aid by personnel of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) before being taken to a nearby health facility for further treatment.

However, the rescue operation ended in grief when the body of the third victim was recovered from beneath the debris.