A tragic structural failure occurred late Thursday morning in the Alayabiagba community of Ajegunle, in the Apapa area of Lagos State, Nigeria. According to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), a three-storey building with a penthouse at No. 28 Baale Alayabiagba Street collapsed at about 11:09 a.m. while undergoing manual demolition.
Upon arrival, rescue teams discovered that eight adult male workers had been pulled alive from the rubble and given first aid on site by the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS). These injured victims were subsequently taken to Ajeromi General Hospital for further treatment. Meanwhile, one adult male worker was recovered dead from the debris.
The incident highlights the ongoing challenge of building safety in the city, particularly during demolitions and when structures are being hastily altered or removed. The cause of the collapse is still under investigation, though local residents reported the building was being manually demolished at the time.
Officials from LASEMA, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps, and the Nigeria Police all responded to the scene.
Residents in the area expressed concern, noting the structure appeared to be older and under active demolition, and some flagged that the building may have been in a distressed state prior to the incident.
