Eight Die, 26 Rescued as NEMA Blames Structural Failure for Lagos Building Collapse

At least eight people have been confirmed dead, while 26 others were rescued alive following the collapse of a three-storey building in the Alakija area of Lagos State.

The building, located along Old Ojo Road near Alakija Bus Stop in the Ori-Ade Local Council Development Area, reportedly collapsed at about 11:00 a.m., prompting an emergency response from relevant agencies. Emergency responders, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, were immediately deployed to the scene.

The collapsed structure, which was occupied by several tenants, also housed businesses such as cyber cafés, phone repair shops, mobile network outlets, a photo studio, and office spaces.

Officials said rescue efforts were complicated by rainfall, but emergency workers continued search and recovery operations throughout the day.

Speaking on the incident, NEMA’s Head of Operations in Lagos, Mohammed Olatunde, attributed the tragedy to structural failure. According to him, the building had reportedly shown signs of distress and imminent collapse days before the incident, but occupants remained inside.

LASEMA officials also indicated that the building had visible structural defects, with reports suggesting that parts of the structure, including the staircases, had become unstable before the collapse.

Eyewitnesses recounted harrowing experiences, with some residents narrowly escaping the disaster after leaving the premises shortly before the building caved in. Several families were seen searching for loved ones, while survivors attempted to salvage their belongings from the debris.

The incident has once again raised concerns about the safety of ageing and distressed buildings in Lagos and renewed calls for stricter enforcement of building regulations and regular structural integrity assessments.