By Elizabeth Godwin
Tragedy struck in the Ota-Ona area of Ikorodu, Lagos State, on Monday when an uncompleted two-storey building collapsed, leaving one child dead, nine others injured, and at least three more feared trapped beneath the rubble.
The incident occurred at approximately 2:00 p.m., directly opposite the Mobil (formerly Bugon) Filling Station. According to eyewitnesses and social media reports, the structure caved in suddenly while construction was ongoing.
Rasheed Fatuga, a Facebook user who raised the initial alarm, said several people were trapped when the building gave way. His post drew immediate attention from the public and authorities.
Confirming the incident, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, stated that nine adult males were rescued and treated by LASEMA’s Pre-Hospital Care Unit.
“Following distress alerts at about 2:02 p.m., LASEMA activated its emergency response from Agbowa and Alausa,” Oke-Osanyintolu said. “Upon arrival at 2:40 p.m., the agency’s Tiger and Lion Response Teams discovered the collapsed building and initiated search and rescue operations.”
He noted that the exact cause of the collapse had yet to be determined, but emergency teams quickly cordoned off the area and deployed heavy-duty equipment, including an excavator, to facilitate rescue efforts.
When contacted, an official of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) declined to comment, citing the absence of a substantive general manager.
The incident has once again raised concerns about construction safety and regulatory enforcement in Lagos, where building collapses remain a persistent issue.
