A three-storey building collapsed in the Ojodu-Berger area of Lagos State earlier today, leaving at least nine people injured and sparking a frantic rescue operation by emergency responders. The incident, which occurred around 11 a.m., partially trapped several individuals under the rubble before they were pulled to safety by rescue teams.
The building, which housed a popular eatery known as Equal Right Restaurant on its ground floor, had its upper floors unoccupied at the time of the collapse. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud crash as the structure suddenly gave way, sending panic through the neighborhood.
Margaret Adeseye, Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, confirmed that nine survivors had been rescued and taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. While no fatalities were reported, some victims sustained varying degrees of injuries and were initially attended to by the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) before being transported for further medical care.
Adeseye noted that the building, described as an old and long-vacant structure, may have collapsed due to structural weakness caused by prolonged disuse. “Unoccupied buildings often lose their integrity over time, making them vulnerable to collapse,” she explained. “We have repeatedly warned about the dangers of leaving buildings abandoned for extended periods.”
Rescue operations, led by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and the Fire Service, continued into the afternoon as officials worked to ensure no one remained trapped beneath the debris. Authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of the collapse, but an investigation is underway.
Local resident Femi Saheed, who witnessed the incident, recounted the chaotic scene as bystanders rushed to assist before emergency teams arrived. “It happened so fast—one moment the building was standing, the next it was just rubble,” he said.
As of press time, officials assured the public that the situation was under control and urged calm. Meanwhile, concerns have been raised about the structural integrity of other aging buildings in the area, with calls for stricter enforcement of safety regulations to prevent similar disasters.
Further updates are expected as rescue operations and investigations continue.
