Lagos plans to tear down structurally unsound buildings previously identified as hazardous following shopping center collapse

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…Begins probe as rescue operations end

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By Olasunkanmi Akoni

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The Lagos State Government has announced plans to demolish all structurally distressed buildings previously marked for removal in the Alakija area of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area following the collapse of a three-storey building that claimed nine lives and left 27 others rescued.

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The announcement came as emergency management agencies concluded rescue operations at the site of the incident.

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Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, disclosed the decision on Friday while briefing journalists during an inspection of the collapse site on behalf of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

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Omotoso expressed the government’s condolences to the families of the victims and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives through strict enforcement of building regulations.

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“On behalf of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, we commiserate with the families who have lost their loved ones. We pray that we never witness this kind of tragedy again,” he said.

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He noted that emergency responders were immediately deployed after the incident, leading to the successful rescue of 27 trapped victims.

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“I want to commend all our emergency responders, including LASEMA, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, LASBCA, the Police, the Military, the Command and Control Centre and other agencies for their swift response. By the grace of God, 27 people were rescued alive, although, sadly, nine lives were lost,” he said.

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Omotoso revealed that the collapsed building had previously been identified as structurally defective and marked for evacuation, but the occupants failed to comply with the government’s directive.

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“As you can see, these buildings had been marked as defective and people were asked to leave them. Unfortunately, they refused to comply, and this led to what happened,” he said.

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He added that all other buildings identified as structurally unsafe in the area would be demolished to prevent similar tragedies.

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“All the buildings that have been marked will come down. We will not allow dangerous structures to remain standing because the safety of lives is our priority,” Omotoso said.

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The commissioner warned that anyone found to have violated building regulations or obstructed enforcement efforts would be prosecuted.

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“Whoever is found to have breached the law will face the full weight of the law. Appropriate legal action will be taken against anyone responsible,” he stated.

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He also condemned the construction of buildings beneath high-tension electricity lines, describing the practice as dangerous and unacceptable.

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“You cannot build under high-tension power lines. It is dangerous and unacceptable in any civilised society. It shows disregard for the law, and the government will not tolerate it,” he said.

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Omotoso urged residents to comply with government safety directives, stressing that no means of livelihood should take precedence over human life.

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“The most important lesson here is that we should never prioritise livelihood over life. Once life is lost, everything is lost,” he said.

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He added that those rescued from the collapsed building had been taken to various hospitals for treatment, while investigations into the cause of the collapse are ongoing.

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