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).
In a statement posted on its X handle on Saturday, NEMA confirmed the incident occurred around 8:30 pm, leaving several people trapped under the rubble.
“Eyewitnesses gave conflicting reports, with some claiming six people were trapped and others five. So far, four adult males have been rescued alive and taken to hospital for treatment,” the agency said.
Teams from NEMA, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and other responders swiftly mobilised to the site, launching search and rescue operations that continued through the night. Officials have cordoned off the area to ensure safety while efforts to evacuate survivors remain ongoing.
Building collapses are a recurring tragedy in Lagos and other Nigerian cities, often linked to poor construction practices, substandard materials, and weak enforcement of building regulations. Data from the Lagos State government and civil society groups indicate that dozens of such incidents occur each year, leading to casualties and displacement.
Authorities in Lagos have repeatedly warned developers against unsafe practices, sealing off several non-compliant structures in recent years.
ADEOLA KUNLE
