Lagos Authorities Initiate Probe into Ogba School Structure Collapse

A thorough investigation has been initiated by the Lagos State Government into the collapse of a four-storey building that housed a private school and residential units on Adu Street in the Aguda area of Ogba, Lagos, which occurred on Monday.

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The Lagos State Building Control Agency confirmed the incident through a statement released on Tuesday by its Director of Public Affairs, Adu Ademuyiwa, stating that no lives were lost since students, staff, and other occupants had already vacated the premises before the collapse.

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The building in question was home to Yemco Daycare Nursery, Primary and Comprehensive College, and although no fatalities were reported, some students were taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries sustained during the evacuation.

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According to residents, the building's collapse occurred at approximately 11am, shortly after a nearby fashion designer noticed a crack in the wall and alerted the school authorities and neighbours, prompting teachers to evacuate the pupils just before the structure came down.

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Following the incident, officials from LASBCA, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, and other emergency responders visited the site to assess the situation and ensure public safety, and nearby buildings sharing the premises were evacuated and sealed pending structural safety evaluations.

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As a precautionary measure, occupants of adjacent buildings were advised to temporarily vacate their premises while safety assessments are conducted on surrounding structures to determine their condition and stability, according to the agency.

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Preliminary observations by LASBCA suggest that construction activity had been taking place at the property prior to the collapse, a claim supported by residents who reported that renovation work was underway on the ground floor.

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A comprehensive investigation is currently underway to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident, and LASBCA has reminded property owners and developers of the importance of adhering to regulatory procedures during construction or renovation works.