Building Collapse In Orile Iganmu: Two-Storey Structure Falls, No Casualties Reported

In the early hours of Monday, a two-storey building collapsed on Amusu Street, near Baale Bus Stop, in the Orile Iganmu area of Lagos State. The incident occurred around 8:45 a.m., prompting panic as nearby residents scrambled for safety.

Videos circulating online captured the building’s collapse, as debris scattered and residents rushed away from the scene. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, thanks in part to early evacuation efforts. According to reports, the building had been vacated before the collapse occurred, possibly due to signs of structural instability. The swift response of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) played a key role in preventing injuries or loss of life.

LASEMA’s Head of Public Affairs, Nosa Okunbor, confirmed the incident, stating that the building collapsed on its own without external forces acting on it. He further noted that LASEMA’s response teams were on-site, conducting search and rescue operations to ensure no one was trapped or injured. “There are no casualties, and further updates will be provided as investigations continue,” Okunbor added.

An anonymous LASEMA official reiterated the agency’s early evacuation efforts. “We had already evacuated the building before it gave way, which is why there are no casualties,” the official explained, adding that emergency responders arrived swiftly to assess the situation and secure the area.

This collapse follows a worrying pattern of building failures in Lagos. In May, a four-story building collapsed on Lagos Island, trapping an unknown number of people. That incident occurred at Iga Iduganran, close to the palace of the Oba of Lagos. Earlier in July, another building at No. 49 Oyinlola Street in Iyana Ipaja caved in, narrowly missing residents who were living in the boys’ quarters behind the main structure.

The frequency of building collapses in Lagos has raised concerns about construction standards and the enforcement of building regulations in the city. Many of the collapsed structures were either old or poorly maintained, leading to questions about the safety of other buildings in similarly precarious conditions.

The Lagos State government has been making efforts to tackle these issues by cracking down on substandard buildings and construction practices. However, incidents like the one in Orile Iganmu highlight the need for more rigorous building inspections and stricter adherence to safety standards to prevent future tragedies.

The Orile Iganmu incident serves as a reminder of the risks posed by poorly maintained buildings, and authorities are expected to launch an investigation into the causes of the collapse. In the meantime, emergency responders continue to monitor the site to ensure the safety of residents and mitigate further risks.