Residents of Odo-Kekere community in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State were gripped by panic on Thursday evening following the partial collapse of a building within a public primary school in the area.
The incident, which occurred after school hours, attracted residents who rushed out after hearing a loud bang from the school premises.
Many described the development as a fortunate escape, as pupils had already closed for the day.
Emergency responders from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, alongside officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA, swiftly arrived at the scene and secured the affected area to prevent further danger.
Preliminary findings indicate that no pupils were inside the classrooms at the time of the collapse.
Emergency personnel, however, commenced search and safety checks to ensure that no security personnel or staff members were trapped beneath the rubble.
An eyewitness and nearby resident, Mrs. Boluwaji Aderinto, expressed relief that the incident did not occur during school hours, while calling on authorities to urgently address the state of aging school infrastructure in the community.
She said residents had repeatedly drawn attention to the deteriorating condition of school buildings in the area, urging government intervention to prevent avoidable disasters.
Meanwhile, officials from the Lagos State Ministry of Education have visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment.
A senior ministry official confirmed that the Tutor-General and Permanent Secretary of Education District Two were among those already evaluating the situation for necessary action.
The incident has once again raised concerns over the structural integrity of school buildings across Lagos State, with renewed calls for comprehensive inspection and rehabilitation of public and private school facilities to safeguard lives.