No casualties recorded in Orile-Iganmu building collapse, says LASG

Reacting to the two-storey building at 20 Amusu Street, Baale Bus Stop, Orile-Iganmu, collapse on Monday, October 14, 2024, the Lagos State Commissioner, Information & Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso has revealed that no casualties were recorded as the building had been evacuated two weeks before the incident after being marked for demolition by authorities.

According to the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), the building had been identified as structurally unsound, and occupants were previously issued a quit notice. Some residents, however, are said to have initially refused to vacate but eventually evacuated after noticing warning signs of the building’s imminent collapse.

For their part, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) disclosed received distress calls regarding the collapse at 8:47 AM and immediately activated its Cobra Response Team. By 9:33 AM, the team arrived on site to manage the situation.

Upon assessment, no injuries or loss of life were reported. LASEMA operatives quickly cordoned off the area and coordinated with other emergency response units, including the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps, to prevent secondary incidents and manage the crowd.

Further evaluations of an adjoining two-storey building revealed similar structural distress, leading to the evacuation of all its occupants for safety reasons.

The Lagos State government has reiterated its commitment to enforcing building regulations to prevent such incidents and ensure public safety. Authorities continue to monitor the area and assess the risk of additional collapses.