By Niran Odufayo
A construction site turned deadly on Tuesday afternoon when a two-storey building collapsed at Otta Ona Junction, near the Mobil filling station in Ikorodu, Lagos. One man has been confirmed dead, while nine others were rescued with varying degrees of injuries.
Emergency responders from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) raced to the scene following a distress call received at 2:02 p.m. According to LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, specialized response teams—codenamed “Tiger” and “Lion”—arrived within 40 minutes to begin rescue operations.
The victims, all adult males, were reportedly working on the still-under-construction structure when it gave way. While nine were pulled from the debris and stabilized by LASEMA’s Pre-Hospital Care Unit, one adult male was later confirmed dead at the site.
The immediate area has been sealed off as a precaution, with excavators and other heavy-duty equipment deployed to clear the rubble and ensure no other individuals are trapped.
Although the exact cause of the collapse has yet to be determined, investigations are expected to commence once the emergency phase is concluded.
Alongside LASEMA, other agencies involved in the operation include the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), and the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA).
Authorities urge residents to steer clear of the area as recovery efforts continue.