Two-storey building collapses in Lagos

A two-storey building has collapsed in the Orile-Iganmu area of Surulere, Lagos.

The incident occurred at about 8am on Monday.

Social media footage showed the moment the building caved in as people in the vicinity scampered for safety.

Nosa Okunbor, head of public affairs unit of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), said there were no casualties from the incident.

“LASEMA Response Teams in Search & Rescue Operation at a self-collapsed building on Amusu Street, Baale Bus Stop, Orile Iganmu,” he said.

“Incident summary: Transmitted at 08:54am; No Casualties.”

The agency added that the building was distressed and had been marked for demolition by the Lagos state government.

“Cause of the self-collapsed building was attributed to distress, as further information gathered from LASBCA at incident scene revealed that occupants of the collapsed building had been served notice to quit by LASBCA as being distressed, but some occupants remained recalcitrant,” the statement reads.

In July, three site workers died when a building collapsed in the Maryland area of Lagos. The incident occurred at No 13, Wilson Mba street, Arowojobe Estate. 

Three other site workers were rescued alive and were rushed to hospital.

Building collapses are commonplace in Lagos — Nigeria’s commercial capital and most populous city.