The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed the death of one person following a building collapse in Lagos on Saturday. The tragic incident occurred in the Ebute Metta area, where a residential structure reportedly gave way in the early hours of the morning.
According to NEMA’s Lagos Territorial Coordinator, Ibrahim Farinloye, emergency responders rushed to the scene immediately after receiving distress calls from residents. He revealed that while several people were rescued from the rubble, one victim was confirmed dead during the operation. Search and rescue efforts continued for hours to ensure no one else was trapped beneath the debris.
Eyewitnesses said the building had shown visible signs of distress before the collapse, with cracks and structural defects becoming increasingly noticeable in recent months. Residents alleged that repeated complaints to local authorities were ignored until the disaster struck.
Officials from the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) were also on ground to assess the situation. Preliminary findings suggested that structural weakness, possibly linked to poor maintenance or substandard construction, may have contributed to the collapse. A full investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause.
The Lagos State Government has since ordered the immediate evacuation of adjoining buildings to prevent further casualties. Authorities also promised to intensify ongoing audits of high-risk structures across the state to curb the recurring menace of building collapses.
Building collapse remains a persistent problem in Lagos, where rapid urbanisation, poor regulation, and illegal constructions have been blamed for frequent tragedies. Civil society groups have urged stricter enforcement of building codes and greater accountability to safeguard lives.
As rescue teams cleared the wreckage, NEMA reiterated its commitment to working with state agencies to improve disaster response. However, residents of Ebute Metta said the loss underscores the urgent need for proactive measures rather than reactive interventions after lives have been lost.
