Tragedy was narrowly averted on Monday afternoon as a storey building under construction collapsed on Agarawu Street, near the Aroloya Central Mosque in the bustling Idumota area of Lagos Island. Thanks to the swift response of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), two adult males were rescued alive from the debris.
The incident, which occurred at approximately 2:00 p.m., sent shockwaves through the crowded neighborhood. Residents, overcome with fear and uncertainty, gathered helplessly as the structure crumbled unexpectedly, releasing plumes of dust and debris into the air.
Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, confirmed in a statement that the agency received a distress call via the 767 and 112 emergency lines at 2:16 p.m., prompting an immediate response from its Lekki Base Response Team.
“On arrival at the scene, it was discovered that a storey building under construction had self-collapsed,” Oke-Osanyintolu said. “Two adult males were successfully rescued from the rubble and provided with first aid by the LRU Pre-Hospital Care Unit.”
As of the time of this report, no fatalities have been recorded, and law enforcement agencies have secured the area to prevent unauthorized access.
The cause of the collapse remains unknown, but LASEMA has assured that thorough investigations will be conducted to uncover what led to the incident.
The agency also confirmed that search and rescue operations have been concluded.
A Wake-Up Call
This collapse adds to a growing list of structural failures plaguing Lagos and serves as a harsh reminder of the urgent need for stricter enforcement of building codes, better supervision, and accountability in construction practices.
While the rescue of the two victims has brought relief, the community remains shaken.
“This could have been far worse. Thank God LASEMA came quickly,” said a shopkeeper near the scene. “But how many more buildings will fall before we see real change?”
As investigations unfold, Lagosians are once again left asking hard questions about safety, oversight, and the value placed on human lives in one of Africa’s busiest cities.
