•Scene of the building collapse
One person has been confirmed dead after the collapse of a three-storey building in Alagomeji, located in the Yaba area of Lagos State.
The ill-fated building, located at 333 Borno Street, Alagomeji, caved in on Friday night, reports Channels TV.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in its Day 2 incident report yesterday, confirmed that the body of a male victim was pulled from the rubble during ongoing rescue efforts.
The update shared on its official X handle disclosed that emergency responders, including officials of NEMA, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), and the Fire Service, remain on-site.
“So far, four persons have been rescued and are in stable condition,” NEMA stated.
“No additional rescues have been made at the time of this report, but there is speculation that two more persons are still trapped beneath the rubble,” the statement read.
Rescue operations are continuing as authorities work against time to locate possible survivors and prevent further casualties.
It stated that several people were trapped under the rubble.
“While eyewitness accounts vary, with some saying six people were trapped and others reporting five, emergency responders have so far rescued four adult males alive and taken them to the hospital for treatment.
“Teams from the National Emergency Management Agency, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and other responders quickly mobilised to the scene and commenced search and rescue operations,” the agency said.
According to NEMA, the exact number of people still trapped remains unconfirmed, but efforts are ongoing to locate and evacuate survivors.
“Emergency officials have cordoned off the site to ensure safety and smooth rescue operations.
“The search and rescue operation is continuing into the night, with responders assuring that no effort will be spared to save lives,” it added.
The Yaba incident is the latest in the cases of building collapse in Lagos and other parts of the country.
While building collapses are linked to poor construction practices, substandard materials, and weak regulatory enforcement, data from the Lagos State Government and civil society groups show that dozens of such incidents occur yearly, resulting in deaths, injuries, and displacement.
