Lagos state government: A devastating scene unfolded on Saturday morning at 10, Oremeta Street in the Ojodu-Berger area of Lagos State when a three-storey building suddenly collapsed, killing two people and trapping dozens. The building, which housed the popular Equal Right Restaurant and Bar, gave way around 9 a.m., plunging workers, customers, and passersby into chaos.
Emergency response teams arrived promptly, working tirelessly to rescue trapped individuals. As of the latest reports, 24 people had been pulled from the debris, with varying degrees of injury, while two fatalities were confirmed. Sympathizers gathered at the site, praying fervently as rescue operations continued into the evening.
Lagos State Government Vows to Prosecute Building Owner
In the immediate aftermath, the Lagos State Government made clear its intention to hold those responsible accountable. The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, stated that the owner of the collapsed building would face legal consequences following an official investigation.
“There is a procedure if there is any building collapse. The Lagos state government will find out how it happened. Naturally, the law will take its course — the owner of the building will face the law,” Omotoso told opitanglobamedia news . The Lagos State Police also confirmed that a criminal investigation was underway, with spokesman Benjamin Hundeyin affirming, “Two dead, 24 rescued. Investigation is ongoing.”
Lagos state government: Abandonment and Poor Construction Practices Blamed
Local residents painted a grim picture of the building’s history. According to eyewitnesses, the structure had been abandoned for over a decade before recent construction work resumed on the top floor, likely compromising its stability. The ground floor was being used as a bar, eatery, and parking lot, but the upper floors were empty and appeared poorly maintained.
One resident, Akin Popoola, remarked, “Construction just resumed recently upstairs. Before then, it was just an abandoned building.” A disc jockey who narrowly escaped the collapse recounted that he noticed structural instability — including falling block particles and a shifted pillar — but warnings to workers on site were reportedly dismissed.
Harrowing Survivor Accounts Emerge
Among those affected was a family of three—a man, his wife, and their child—who had just bought food from the restaurant and were attempting to drive out when the building crashed onto their car. Their fate sparked widespread grief among onlookers.
Restaurant workers also recounted terrifying experiences. Ayomide Adebola, a 22-year-old waitress, was reportedly trapped inside, with her distraught sister pleading for help at the scene. Another witness, Waheed Opeloyeru, shared how a customer narrowly escaped by stepping out to withdraw money moments before the structure crumbled, leaving his brother trapped inside.
Emergency Agencies Battle Against Time
Personnel from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and other agencies coordinated the massive rescue operation. Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, emphasized the delicate nature of the operation, stating that workers were proceeding “layer by layer” to prevent further casualties.
As rescue operations progressed, officials warned about the dangers posed by abandoned structures. Mr. Shakiru Amodu, spokesperson for the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, noted that deterioration over time had likely weakened the building. “Leaving buildings unoccupied is risky because they can deteriorate and collapse without warning,” he warned. Authorities have promised to intensify building inspections across the Lagos state to prevent similar tragedies.
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