KEY POINTS
- Lagos State Government has ordered the demolition of distressed buildings in Alakija after a two-storey building collapse killed nine people and injured 27 others.
- Authorities said the collapsed building had previously been marked for demolition, but occupants failed to vacate despite official warnings.
- Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed structural integrity checks on nearby buildings and stricter enforcement of building regulations to prevent future disasters.
The Lagos State Government has announced plans to demolish all distressed buildings in the Alakija area of Amuwo-Odofin following the tragic collapse of a two-storey building that claimed the lives of nine people and left 27 others injured.
The decision was announced on Thursday by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, during an inspection of the collapsed building located on Old Ojo Road, near Alakija Bus Stop along the Badagry Expressway.
Omotoso described the incident as avoidable, revealing that the building had previously been identified as structurally unsafe and marked for demolition. According to him, occupants were served evacuation notices and instructed to vacate the premises, but they ignored the warnings and continued to occupy the building.
More Unsafe Buildings to Be Pulled Down
The commissioner said the government would not stop with the collapsed structure alone. He disclosed that all distressed buildings in the Alakija area would be demolished to eliminate safety risks and protect residents from similar tragedies.
He also announced that buildings erected beneath high-tension electricity transmission lines would be removed, stressing that such structures pose serious dangers to occupants and violate existing safety regulations.
Omotoso reaffirmed the state’s commitment to enforcing building standards and ensuring compliance with planning regulations across Lagos.
During the inspection, Omotoso expressed the Lagos State Government’s condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the disaster. He also wished those receiving treatment for injuries a speedy recovery.
He assured residents that the government would continue taking proactive measures to prevent avoidable building collapses and safeguard lives and property.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed that search, rescue and recovery operations at the site have been completed.
According to the agency, emergency responders, working alongside other government agencies and members of the local community, successfully rescued 27 people trapped beneath the rubble.
A total of nine bodies were recovered from the debris, while four of the victims had already died before emergency officials arrived at the scene.