The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has confirmed the death of one person following the collapse of a three-storey building in the Apapa area of Lagos State on Thursday.
According to a statement by LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, eight others were rescued alive from the debris and taken to Ajeromi General Hospital for treatment.
Oke-Osanyintolu said the agency’s response team arrived at the scene around 11:09 a.m. after receiving distress alerts, only to find the structure—located at No. 28 Baale Alayabiagba Street, Alayabiagba community, Ajegunle—completely collapsed.
“Following distress alerts at 11:09 a.m., LASEMA activated the State’s Emergency Response Plans from Agbowa and Alausa. Upon arrival, it was discovered that a three-storey building with a penthouse had collapsed, trapping several workers beneath the rubble,” he said.
He added that while eight adult males were rescued and given first aid by the Lagos State Ambulance Service before being hospitalized, one adult male was recovered dead.
Residents told emergency officials that the building was undergoing manual demolition when it suddenly gave way, burying some workers on site.
Responders at the scene included personnel from LASEMA, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps, the Lagos State Building Control Agency, the National Emergency Management Agency, and the Nigeria Police.
As of press time, search and rescue operations were still ongoing.