Tragedy struck Lagos yesterday, as no fewer than nine persons, including a baby girl, were feared dead, while 26 others were rescued from the rubble of a three-storey mall that collapsed along Old Ojo Road, near Alakija Bus Stop on the Lagos-Badagry expressway, in Satellite Town, Ori-Ade Local Council Development Area.
The building, which housed several businesses, including generator dealerships, a cybercafé, and Point-of-Sale (POS) outlets, reportedly collapsed around 11 a.m., sending shockwaves through the community.
Eyewitnesses said residents, commuters, and business operators fled for safety before regrouping to assist in rescue efforts.
A police officer at the scene, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said about 15 people, including children and infants, were initially rescued, while several others remained trapped beneath the rubble.
Musa, an eyewitness who was passing by on a motorcycle, described the incident: “I was going to Mile 2 when I suddenly heard a loud noise behind me. I quickly moved ahead, turned back, and saw that the mall had collapsed.”
Another witness, identified as Sule, said: “I had just arrived at a shop outside the building less than five minutes earlier when I heard a loud noise and saw dust everywhere. I grabbed my child and ran for safety.”
A resident who pleaded anonymity said the building had shown signs of structural weakness for years.
“My boss owned a cybercafé inside the mall. Two years ago, he moved out because the building was already showing signs that it could collapse,” the resident said.
Several residents also claimed that the Lagos State Government had previously marked the building for evacuation due to safety concerns.
One grieving witness, Abdul-Lateef, said: “My friend is dead inside there. He was trying to run out when a block hit him. There are casualties.”
Amid the devastation, rescuers pulled a boy alive from the rubble, drawing cheers from anxious onlookers gathered at the scene.
All rescued victims and recovered bodies were taken to the Navy Town Hospital, Alakija.
Confirming the incident, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, said eight bodies had been recovered while 26 persons were rescued.
“As of 4:20 p.m., a total of 26 persons had been rescued, while nine fatalities, including a baby girl, had been recorded. There are reports that additional persons, including shop owners who had resumed business, may still be trapped.”
Oke-Osanyintolu urged residents to remain calm, avoid the scene, and allow emergency responders unrestricted access.
Also confirming the casualty figures, the Controller-General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, said emergency responders from the Ijegun-Egba Fire Station were mobilised immediately after receiving a distress call.
“As of 7 p.m., eight fatalities had been recorded, while 26 persons were rescued alive with varying degrees of injuries and handed over to medical personnel for treatment,” she said.
Agencies involved in the rescue operation included the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Federal Fire Service, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Navy, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, LNSC, Nigerian Red Cross Society, and other emergency responders.