Panic struck the Ojodu-Berger area of Lagos State after a three-storey building collapsed on Oremeta Street, trapping several people inside. The structure, which had a popular eatery — Equal Right Restaurant — on its ground floor, gave way around 8 a.m. on Friday.
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Rescue operations quickly began, and by 2 p.m., nine individuals had been pulled alive from the debris. Emergency responders from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) were still at the scene, working tirelessly to locate anyone who might still be trapped.
Reports indicate that while the ground floor of the building was active with a restaurant, bar, and parking space, the upper three floors were unoccupied. The building, believed to be an old structure, was not under construction at the time of the collapse.
Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, confirmed the rescue of the nine victims, noting that while no fatalities had been recorded, the survivors sustained various injuries. They received immediate attention from the Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASAMBUS) before being transferred to a hospital for further care.
Speaking through the service’s spokesperson, Shakiru Amodu, Adeseye warned about the dangers of leaving buildings unoccupied for long periods. “When buildings are not in use for years, their structural integrity weakens, making them prone to sudden collapse,” she stated.
As of press time, the exact cause of the collapse remains unknown. Rescue operations and investigations are ongoing to ensure that no one is left beneath the rubble.
“All efforts are being made to reach ground zero,” Adeseye assured. “There is no cause for panic — the situation is under control.”
