Panic gripped residents of the Ojodu-Berger area in Lagos State on the morning of Saturday, April 19, 2025, after an old, partially occupied three-storey building suddenly collapsed, trapping an unknown number of people under the rubble.
The incident occurred around 9:00 a.m. while the area was still in a festive Easter mood. Emergency responders swiftly mobilized to the scene, launching rescue efforts that have so far led to the successful evacuation of nine male victims from the debris.
The building, located in a bustling part of the city, had its ground floor occupied by a local eatery known as Equal Right Restaurant, while the upper three floors were reportedly vacant. According to officials, the rescued victims sustained varying degrees of injuries and were immediately treated by the Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASAMBUS) before being transferred to nearby hospitals.
Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, confirmed the development through the agency’s spokesperson, Shakiru Amodu. “We have been able to rescue nine adult males alive, with no fatalities reported as of now,” she said.
She further explained that the building, which was neither under construction nor recently renovated, may have lost structural integrity due to prolonged disuse.
“We have consistently warned that unoccupied buildings pose significant structural risks. Over time, lack of use can weaken a building’s integrity, making it prone to sudden collapse,” Adeseye noted.
As at 2:00 p.m., operatives of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), alongside firefighters and other first responders, were still working at the site to ensure no victim remains trapped beneath the rubble.
While the exact cause of the collapse is yet to be determined, authorities have assured residents that rescue efforts are ongoing and under control. Further updates are expected as investigations progress.
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