Tragedy struck in the Mushin area of Lagos State on Sunday afternoon as a two-storey building under construction collapsed, leaving at least three persons trapped before being rescued.
The incident occurred at approximately 3:50 p.m. on Ishaga Road, directly opposite the Central Mosque in Idi Araba. Confirming the development, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said rescue operations commenced immediately after the collapse.
According to Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, the NEMA Coordinator for the Lagos Territorial Office, emergency response teams were swiftly deployed to the scene. He initially confirmed that two individuals had been rescued and taken to the hospital. A third person was rescued later at about 6:35 p.m.
While the exact cause of the collapse remains unknown, investigations are expected to be conducted by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) and other regulatory bodies once the rescue operations conclude.
The latest incident adds to the growing list of building collapses in Lagos, a problem that experts blame on poor construction practices, substandard materials, and weak enforcement of building codes.
In recent years, Lagos has witnessed multiple high-profile collapses, including the seven-storey building on Banana Island in April 2023 and the three-storey building on Herbert Macaulay Way in May 2022. These tragedies have sparked renewed calls for urgent reforms in the construction industry.
Advocacy groups have consistently urged the government to enforce stricter regulations, conduct routine structural integrity tests, and prosecute defaulters to deter negligence in the sector.
Residents and civil society organizations are now calling on the Lagos State Government to ensure full accountability in this latest incident to prevent further loss of lives.
