Lagos building collapse: Death toll rises to five, 15 rescued — NEMA

The death toll from the collapsed three-storey building in Lagos has risen to five. Fifteen people have so far been rescued alive. 

According to an update from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Sunday, the building, which housed a restaurant and bar, is located on Oremeta Street, Ojodu Berger, Lagos. It collapsed on Saturday morning, throwing the entire area into confusion.

Several victims who were trapped in the building were believed to be restaurant workers and customers. The storekeeper was among the survivors, while those injured received pre-hospital care.

Giving an update, NEMA’s Zonal Coordinator, Ibrahim Farinloye, said: “Fifteen have been rescued alive, and five persons are dead.”

According to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), led by its Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, all survivors received pre-hospital treatment.

He explained that additional construction had been carried out on the existing structure without obtaining approval from government building regulatory agencies, which subsequently led to the collapse.

“All first responders are on the scene to continue search and rescue operations,” he added.

“The agency responded to the incident, and upon the arrival of the shark team at the scene, it was discovered that a storey building under construction had collapsed.

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“The shark team, alongside LRU paramedics, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, LNSC officials, and the Nigeria Police Force, were the responders currently at the scene,” he said.

Between 1974 and November 5, 2024, no fewer than 635 building collapse incidents were recorded in Nigeria, according to the Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG). Lagos State alone accounted for over 351 of these incidents in the last 50 years.

Despite several efforts by the government and construction experts, the disturbing trend of structural collapses persists in Nigeria, especially in Lagos, which has the highest number of recorded cases.

Commenting on the situation, a built environment professional who requested anonymity said, “This failure pattern is indicative of a worsening development culture in the built environment.”

Speaking last Thursday during the commissioning of the national secretariat of the Construction and Civil Engineering Senior Staff Association (CCESSA) in Kuchiyako 1 Layout, Kuje, Abuja, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, addressed the recurring issue of building collapses across the country. He expressed optimism that increasing professionalism and regulation would help reduce such incidents.

Also speaking at the event, President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr. Festus Osifo, blamed building collapses on unqualified individuals rather than certified professionals.

“When buildings collapse, have you ever heard that it was a project handled by Julius Berger or a registered engineer? No. These disasters are caused by quacks — people without proper certification or technical knowledge,” Osifo stated.