Scene of the building collapse
Death toll from the collapse of a three-storey building in Yaba, Lagos State, has risen to four, adding to Nigeria’s grim history of structural failures, while the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) warns of thunderstorms and rainfall that could hinder rescue efforts from Monday to Wednesday.
Acting Head of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos Operations Office, Mrs. Ibitayo Adenike, told newsmen on Sunday that “another male body was recovered from the rubble on Sunday evening,” bringing the total victims to eight—four dead and four rescued.
The building, located at No. 333 Borno St., Alagomeji, Yaba, collapsed at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Friday, trapping several people under debris.
Adenike noted that “search and rescue operations are still ongoing,” despite forecasts of adverse weather complicating efforts.
This incident follows a troubling pattern of building collapses in Nigeria, particularly in Lagos, where rapid urbanization and lax regulation have led to recurring tragedies. In November 2021, a 21-storey building in Ikoyi, Lagos, collapsed, killing 46 people and exposing widespread construction malpractices. Earlier, in 2019, a school building collapse in Lagos Island claimed 20 lives, mostly children.
The Lagos State Building Control Agency has repeatedly flagged substandard materials and unapproved constructions as key culprits, yet incidents persist, with Yaba’s latest collapse reigniting calls for stricter enforcement.
NiMet’s forecast added urgency to the ongoing rescue in Yaba, predicting “cloudy skies with moderate rainfall” across Lagos and other southern states on Monday, with thunderstorms expected through Wednesday.
The agency warned of potential flash floods, which could destabilize the already precarious site.
NiMet advised residents to “secure loose objects and avoid risky areas” to minimize storm-related risks, a precaution critical for both responders and nearby communities.
Emergency teams, including the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Building Control Agency, and the Nigeria Police Force, are working against time and weather to save lives.
NiMet urged the public to stay updated via www.nimet.gov.ng as rescue operations continue amidst Nigeria’s ongoing struggle to prevent such disasters.
