Two-storey building collapses in Lagos, no casualties reported

A two-storey building on Amusu Street in the Sari Orile Iganmu area of Lagos collapsed yesterday morning, causing panic among residents and passersby. The incident occurred around 7:00 a.m., after the occupants had left for work and school, and there were no casualties.

Despite the fortunate lack of injuries or fatalities, the collapse caused significant financial losses, with residents losing property worth millions of naira.

This incident is rare in Lagos, where building collapses often result in tragic consequences.The building had reportedly shown signs of distress since last week, and the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) had marked it for demolition.

An anonymous building occupant told The Guardian that he could not go to work due to the incident and had to relocate his family. According to the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG), Nigeria has experienced over 135 building collapse incidents and at least 26 deaths between 2022 and 2024. Lagos has recorded the highest number of cases this year, followed by Anambra, Kano, and Niger states.

Olatunde Akinsanya, Director of Operations for the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), confirmed the incident, stating that the agency responded to distress calls received at 8:47 a.m.

“Upon arrival at the scene at 9:33 a.m., it was observed that the two-storey residential building had collapsed due to distress,” Akinsanya said. “LASBCA confirmed that the occupants had been served an evacuation notice, but some remained in the building.” He added that all occupants escaped unharmed and that a further assessment of the adjoining building revealed it was also distressed and uninhabitable.

The response involved LASEMA, LRU Pre-Hospital Care Unit, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos State Fire & Rescue Service, LASBCA, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Ojora Palace Chiefs, and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

Kunle Awobodu, former President of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) and the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) cautioned residents to avoid occupying distressed buildings and urged building control agencies to expedite the demolition of any distressed structures.

“One of the occupants confirmed that the building was marked as distressed in December 2023 by LASBCA,” Awobodu said. “Despite the evacuation notice, tenants remained there. If the building had collapsed at night, there would have been many casualties.”

He stressed the need for swift action in demolishing distressed buildings, highlighting that the cost of relocation often forces occupants to remain in dangerous situations.

Government rescue operations have cordoned off the building site, preventing occupants from retrieving their belongings.