At least five people have been confirmed dead and 12 rescued following the collapse of a three-storey building at 9 & 10 Oremeta Street, Ojodu-Berger, Lagos, on Saturday, April 19.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) reported that the victims included three women and two men. Rescue operations, which began shortly after distress calls were received at 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, were still ongoing as of 2:41 a.m. on Sunday, April 20.
The building, which housed Equal Rights Restaurant and Bar, crumbled without warning, trapping 17 people beneath the rubble. Emergency responders, including LASEMA’s Tiger and Cobra units from Alausa and Onipanu, are leading the search-and-rescue mission.
Heavy-duty machinery such as excavators, payloaders, and hiabs, along with specialized rescue tools like concrete cutters and spreaders, are being deployed. The site has been cordoned off, with several agencies present, including the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, LASAMBUS, LASTMA, NEMA, the Nigeria Police, and the Nigeria Red Cross.
The cause of the collapse is yet to be determined. Authorities are investigating the incident, which adds to the grim tally of 19 building collapses recorded in Lagos in 2024 alone.
This latest tragedy follows a similar incident in Ikota, in January 2025, which left two people dead and five injured, heightening concerns over unsafe construction practices.
Officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) are on-site to assess structural compliance, while representatives from Ojodu LCDA and local community members are assisting in the effort to locate any remaining survivors.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has expressed condolences to the victims’ families and emphasized the need for stricter enforcement of building regulations. The Lagos State Government has pledged a full investigation to establish accountability and prevent future occurrences.
More updates are expected as the situation unfolds.
