Several residents were feared trapped on Friday night after a three-storey building under construction collapsed at 333 Borno Street, Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos State.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed the incident on Saturday, saying it occurred around 8:30 pm.
“A 3 storey building under construction collapsed yesterday night by 8:30 pm at 333 Borno Street, Alagomeji, Yaba trapping several persons. Four persons (male) have been rescued and taken to the hospital. Responders are still on ground and SAR operation ongoing. Number of persons under the rubble cannot be ascertain until it is brought to ground zero,” a NEMA official said.
NEMA also posted on its X handle that eyewitness reports varied, with some claiming six people were trapped and others reporting five. However, four adult males had so far been pulled out alive and rushed to the hospital.
“Teams from the National Emergency Management Agency, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and other responders quickly mobilised to the scene and commenced search and rescue operations,” the agency added.
As of press time, the exact number of victims beneath the rubble remained unknown.
“Emergency officials have cordoned off the site to ensure safety and smooth rescue operations. The search and rescue operation is continuing into the night, with responders assuring that no effort will be spared to save lives,” NEMA said.
Building collapses remain a recurring tragedy in Lagos and across Nigeria, often blamed on corruption, weak regulation, and the use of substandard materials.
In July, a similar incident occurred on Lagos Island when a three-storey building at 2/4 Asesi Lane, off Sasi Lane (SASI Palace), Adeniji Adele Road, collapsed. The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, confirmed the incident, stating that four people were rescued and taken to the hospital.
Responders currently at the Alagomeji site include officials from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), and the Nigeria Police.