The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has shed light on its decision to partially pull down a distressed storey building located on Oladele Odusanya Street, off Ademulegun Street, within Ireakari Estate, Oshodi-Isolo, citing prolonged non-compliance with safety directives by occupants.
The clarification came amid public debate over the enforcement exercise. In a statement issued on Monday by the agency’s Director of Public Affairs, Adu Ademuyiwa, LASBCA disclosed that the building had been under close observation for months after inspectors detected alarming signs of structural weakness.
According to the agency, a detailed assessment carried out on March 3, 2025, revealed that the structure had deteriorated to a dangerous level, posing a serious threat to residents and nearby buildings. Following the findings, occupants were formally instructed to vacate the premises, with the warnings reiterated several times over an extended period.
One of the major faults identified, LASBCA explained, was a damaged water pipeline that continuously drenched key load-bearing columns, steadily eroding their strength and undermining the building’s stability.
Despite repeated notices and sustained engagement efforts lasting nearly nine months, residents reportedly ignored the evacuation orders and continued to occupy the unsafe structure.
LASBCA emphasised that the intervention was driven solely by the need to avert a possible tragedy, aligning with the Lagos State Government’s proactive stance on enforcing building safety standards.
The agency noted that the partial demolition was a last resort, carried out only after the building’s condition worsened and all attempts to secure voluntary compliance failed.
“As the level of danger escalated and evacuation directives were persistently flouted, the agency had no choice but to intervene to safeguard lives and property,” the statement said.
LASBCA further assured the public that due process was strictly followed, with all statutory notices, engineering assessments and photographic records properly documented.
Reaffirming its mandate, the agency urged Lagos residents to take safety warnings seriously and comply promptly with evacuation orders, cautioning that disregard for such directives could lead to avoidable loss of lives and property.
