Tragedy struck in Lagos on October 30, 2025, when a three-storey building with a penthouse undergoing manual demolition collapsed at 28 Baale Alayabiagba Street, Ajegunle, Apapa area. The collapse resulted in one person confirmed dead and eight others rescued from the rubble.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) alongside Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps, Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), Lagos State Building Control Agency, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the Nigeria Police responded promptly to the distress call.
Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed that eight adult male workers were rescued alive and provided first aid at the scene before being taken to Ajeromi General Hospital. Unfortunately, one adult male was recovered dead from the debris.
Residents said the building was undergoing manual demolition when it suddenly gave way, trapping workers under the rubble. The cause of the collapse is yet to be ascertained, and rescue operations were ongoing to ensure no one else was trapped.
This incident adds to a troubling pattern of building collapses across Lagos, highlighting ongoing challenges in urban safety and enforcement of building regulations. Earlier episodes this month saw a two-storey building collapse in Oyingbo, and a similar tragic incident in Ebute Metta.
The Lagos State government and emergency agencies continue to emphasize vigilance, safety compliance, and rapid response to such emergencies to prevent further loss of life and property.