The death toll from the tragic collapse of a two-storey building at Otta-Ona Junction, directly opposite the Mobil Filling Station in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State, has risen to three, officials confirmed on Wednesday. The structure, which was still under construction, came down suddenly at approximately 2 p.m. on Tuesday, sparking urgent rescue operations.
Rescue teams quickly responded to the disaster site, initially recovering the lifeless body of one construction worker shortly after the collapse occurred. By the following morning, two additional fatalities had been confirmed—a teenage girl and an adult male—bringing the total number of confirmed deaths to three. Alongside the deceased, eleven other individuals were successfully rescued from the rubble and immediately taken to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.
Emergency responders, led by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Response Team and the Pre-Hospital Care Unit, were at the forefront of the search and rescue operations.
Authorities have since ruled out the possibility of any more victims being trapped under the debris, allowing for a shift in focus toward clearing the site and investigating the cause of the collapse.
The Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, attributed the collapse primarily to negligence on the part of the property owner and the use of sub-standard construction materials.
Investigations revealed that the building project lacked the necessary government approvals and permits, raising serious concerns about regulatory compliance and construction safety standards.
“Preliminary investigations have confirmed that the property owner did not obtain the required building permits before commencing construction. Furthermore, sub-standard materials were used throughout the process,” Dr. Oke-Osanyintolu stated.
He emphasized that relevant regulatory agencies would take appropriate punitive actions against the responsible parties, including the property owner and the developer, to prevent future occurrences.
As a precautionary safety measure, by 6 p.m. on Wednesday, the collapsed structure was being systematically deconstructed down to ground level to prevent any further hazards or potential secondary collapses.
Several other agencies also participated in the emergency response effort, including the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), Nigerian Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA). Their collaborative efforts ensured a coordinated and effective response to the incident.
In the wake of the collapse, the Lagos State government has announced plans to introduce a new building code and an urban development policy aimed at curbing the rising number of structural failures across the state.
This initiative was disclosed by the Special Adviser on e-GIS and Urban Development, Dr. Olajide Babatunde, during a ministerial press briefing marking Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.
Dr. Babatunde explained, “In collaboration with the Policy Innovation Centre, we are preparing to launch the Lagos Building Code. This will be accompanied by the finalisation of the Urban Development Policy, both of which are part of our broader strategy to transform Lagos into a sustainable and resilient smart city.”
These new policies are expected to strengthen regulatory oversight, enforce stricter construction standards, and promote urban planning reforms designed to safeguard lives and property in Lagos State.