A three-storey building under construction collapsed on Friday night, September 12, 2025, at 333 Borno Street, Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos State, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
The incident, which occurred around 8:30 pm, left several persons trapped beneath the rubble.
NEMA, in a statement on its official X handle on Saturday, confirmed that emergency responders swiftly mobilised to the scene to commence search and rescue operations.
“While eyewitness accounts vary, with some saying six people were trapped and others reporting five, emergency responders have so far rescued four adult males alive and taken them to the hospital for treatment,” the agency said.
Rescue teams from NEMA, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and other agencies worked through the night to locate survivors.
Officials have since cordoned off the site to ensure safety and provide room for smooth rescue operations.
NEMA added that the exact number of people still trapped remains unclear but assured that no effort would be spared in the ongoing operation.
“The search and rescue operation is continuing into the night, with responders assuring that no effort will be spared to save lives,” the agency noted.
Building collapses are, unfortunately, a recurring tragedy in Lagos and several other Nigerian cities.
Experts often link them to poor construction practices, substandard building materials, lack of strict regulatory enforcement, and disregard for approved standards.
Data from the Lagos State government and civil society organisations reveal that dozens of such incidents occur yearly, claiming lives, injuring residents, and displacing families.
Authorities in Lagos have repeatedly warned developers against unsafe practices, sealing off several buildings in the past for non-compliance with safety regulations.
However, enforcement gaps remain a major challenge, leaving many lives at risk.
The Alagomeji collapse adds to the growing list of structural failures in the state, once again highlighting the urgent need for stricter oversight, quality control, and accountability in the construction sector.
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