A tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, April 19, 2025, when a three-storey building collapsed on Ore Meta Street in the Ojodu-Berger area of Lagos State. The building, which reportedly housed a local restaurant and was still under construction, gave way around 8:00 a.m., just as workers began arriving for the day.
According to eyewitnesses, the collapse happened suddenly, trapping several people beneath the rubble. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) immediately launched a coordinated rescue operation.
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Death Toll Rises to Five
By Sunday morning, NEMA confirmed that five individuals had lost their lives in the collapse. The victims included three females and two males whose bodies were recovered from the debris during overnight operations.
NEMA’s South-West Coordinator, Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, revealed that a total of 20 people were pulled from the collapsed structure. Out of these, 15 individuals — six adult females and nine adult males — were rescued alive.
“Unfortunately, five bodies, comprising three females and two adult males, were recovered. Rescue operation is still ongoing,” Farinloye said.
The agency, in a statement on its X (formerly Twitter) handle titled ‘NEMA Responds to Building Collapse in Ojodu, Lagos’, confirmed that emergency response teams worked through the night using both light and heavy-duty equipment. A temporary pause was observed in the early hours, but efforts resumed after reports emerged of a possible missing person.
LASEMA Assures Public of Thorough Operation
Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Damilola Oke-Osanyitolu, assured Lagosians that the emergency team is “working with all local people and primary responders” to reach ground zero and ensure no one is left behind.
“We’re on top of the situation. The governor is fully aware and coordinating the response strategy,” he said.
Ongoing Investigations and Structural Safety Concerns
While the exact cause of the collapse is yet to be determined, initial reports suggest the building was still under construction. This has raised concerns about regulatory oversight and the structural integrity of buildings in the state.
The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) is expected to begin a full investigation into the incident and determine whether building codes were violated.
This devastating collapse in Ojodu-Berger once again highlights the urgent need for stronger enforcement of building regulations in Lagos. As emergency workers continue their search, the state awaits a comprehensive report on the cause of the tragedy. The thoughts and prayers of the nation remain with the families of those affected.
