One dead as two-storey building collapses in Lagos

Three construction workers have been rescued alive while one person died after a two-storey building under construction collapsed on Akinola Street, near Fadeyi Bus Stop, off Ikorodu Road, Lagos State.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, said the building collapsed in the early hours of Friday, October 23, 2026, with construction workers suspected to be trapped beneath the rubble.

The agency said in a statement that it received a distress call at 12:10am and immediately activated its Cobra Response Team from the Onipanu Base. The team arrived at the scene at 12:12am and began search and rescue operations.

During the operation, responders heard groaning sounds from beneath the collapsed structure, indicating that some people might still be alive under the debris.

LASEMA deployed an excavator to support the rescue effort, while safety measures were put in place to protect both the victims and emergency responders.

As of 3:33am, three adult males had been rescued alive, while one adult male was recovered dead.

The rescued victims received immediate pre-hospital care from LASEMA paramedics and the Lagos State Ambulance Service, LASAMBUS, before being taken to hospital for further treatment.

The agency said search and rescue operations were continuing to determine whether more people remained trapped beneath the rubble.

The operation was coordinated by the agency’s Director of Operations, Engr. Akinsanya, and the Head of Cappa Base, Engr. Salami, who arrived at the scene to oversee the response.

Other responders included the LASEMA Response Team, Lagos Rescue Unit, LRU, paramedics, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, LASAMBUS and officers of the Nigeria Police Force from the Alagbon Division.

The cause of the collapse had yet to be established as of the time of the report. LASEMA said relevant regulatory agencies would conduct a detailed investigation into the incident.

The Lagos State Government, under Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, expressed sympathy to the family of the deceased and wished the rescued victims a speedy recovery.

“The Government remains fully committed to ensuring that all collapsed building incidents are professionally managed with utmost priority on saving lives,” the statement said.

It further restated its zero tolerance for substandard construction, adding that it would strengthen monitoring and enforcement in collaboration with the Lagos State Building Control Agency to prevent a recurrence.

LASEMA assured residents that its emergency response teams remained on alert across Lagos State and urged members of the public to report emergencies promptly through its toll-free numbers.