A two-storey residential and commercial structure located at 54 Cole Street, near the Cemetery Bus Stop in Oyingbo, Lagos, crumbled late Monday night, resulting in a tragic loss of life and property.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed on Tuesday that two individuals perished in the incident, while 20 survivors were successfully extracted from the debris after an intense overnight rescue operation.
The collapse occurred following heavy rainfall, which likely exacerbated the building’s already weakened foundation.
Coordinated Emergency Response
Upon receiving distress calls, NEMA’s Lagos Operations Office mobilized a multi-agency rescue effort in collaboration with the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and other first responders.
Equipped with specialized extrication tools, teams worked tirelessly for several hours under challenging conditions to locate and free trapped occupants.
Of those rescued, several sustained injuries and were immediately transported to nearby hospitals for urgent medical care. By Tuesday morning, NEMA declared the search complete, confirming that all occupants had been accounted for.
Site Clearance and Security Measures
Once the rescue phase concluded, the Nigeria Police Force took charge of securing the area and overseeing the systematic removal of debris. Their presence ensured crowd control and prevented unauthorized access during the sensitive cleanup process.
The site has now been fully cleared, allowing authorities to begin a thorough investigation into the structural failure.
Prior Warnings Disregarded
Preliminary findings revealed that the building had been officially marked for demolition by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) due to visible signs of distress, including deep cracks and structural instability.
Multiple evacuation notices were issued to residents and business owners, but these directives were reportedly ignored. The property owner’s failure to comply with safety orders contributed directly to the disaster, raising serious questions about enforcement of building regulations in the state.
Voices from the Scene
Local trader Mrs Adaeze described the devastating impact on her livelihood:
“I received a call in the middle of the night and rushed here only to find my shop worth millions of naira buried under rubble. The government warned us repeatedly, but the landlord refused to cooperate or relocate us.”
Another resident, Habeeb Jamiu, recounted the chaotic moments after the collapse:
“The rain had just stopped around 1 a.m. when we heard desperate cries for help. A group of us started digging with our hands before emergency teams arrived. The cracks were obvious anyone passing by could see the danger, yet people continued living and working inside.”
Rainfall as the Final Trigger
Witnesses consistently pointed to the midnight downpour as the immediate cause of the collapse. The intense rainfall likely saturated the already compromised foundation, causing the structure to give way suddenly.
This incident underscores the vulnerability of aging buildings during Lagos’s rainy season, especially when maintenance and safety protocols are neglected.
NEMA Calls for Compliance
In its official statement, NEMA commended the professionalism and swift action of all responding agencies while issuing a strong reminder to the public:
“Residents must prioritize safety by complying with official evacuation and demolition notices. Preventable tragedies like this can be avoided through collective responsibility.”
Lagos State officials have pledged a full investigation into the incident, with potential legal action against non-compliant property owners.
As the city continues to grow, enforcing building codes remains critical to preventing future losses.
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