Tragedy Strikes Lagos Again: One Dead, Many Trapped as Building Collapses in Ikorodu

By: Manoah Kikekon 

Collapsed Lagos Building 

A two-storey building under construction collapsed in the Ikorodu area of Lagos on Tuesday, leaving one person dead and several others trapped under the rubble. The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the tragic incident, sparking renewed concerns over building safety in Nigeria’s bustling commercial capital.  

 

According to LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, emergency responders were alerted at 2:02 p.m. and immediately activated rescue operations from Agbowa and Alausa.  

“Upon arrival at 2:40 p.m., our teams discovered a collapsed two-storey construction site with multiple victims trapped,” Oke-Osanyintolu stated. “So far, nine adult males have been rescued and treated by our Pre-Hospital Care Unit, while three remain trapped.”  

Tragically, one adult male was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of the collapse remains under investigation.  

 

LASEMA officials have cordoned off the area to prevent further risks as search-and-rescue operations continue. Heavy machinery and emergency personnel are working tirelessly to locate and free the remaining trapped individuals.  

This latest incident adds to a growing list of building collapses in Lagos, raising urgent questions about construction standards and regulatory enforcement. Just months ago, a similar tragedy in the Ikoyi district claimed over 40 lives.  

Experts blame weak enforcement of building codes, substandard materials, and illegal modifications for many of these disasters. The Lagos State government has repeatedly vowed to crack down on violators, but enforcement remains inconsistent.  

Authorities have promised a thorough investigation into the Ikorodu collapse. Meanwhile, residents are calling for stricter oversight to prevent future tragedies.  

For now, the focus remains on rescue efforts as families anxiously await news of their loved ones.