A three-storey building under construction collapsed on Friday night, September 12, 2025, at 333 Borno Street, Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos State, the National Emergency Management Agency has said.
In a post on its X handle on Saturday, the National Emergency Management Agency stated that the incident occurred at about 8:30 pm, leaving several people trapped under the rubble.
“While eyewitness accounts vary, with some saying six people were trapped and others reporting five, emergency responders have so far rescued four adult males alive and taken them to the hospital for treatment.
“Teams from the National Emergency Management Agency, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and other responders quickly mobilised to the scene and commenced search and rescue operations,” the agency said.
NEMA noted that the exact number of people still trapped remains unconfirmed, but efforts are ongoing to locate and evacuate survivors.
“Emergency officials have cordoned off the site to ensure safety and smooth rescue operations.
“The search and rescue operation is continuing into the night, with responders assuring that no effort will be spared to save lives,” it added.
Building collapses are, unfortunately, frequent in Lagos and other Nigerian cities, often linked to poor construction practices, substandard materials, and weak regulatory enforcement.
Data from the Lagos State government and civil society groups show that dozens of such incidents occur yearly, resulting in deaths, injuries, and displacement.
Meanwhile, authorities in Lagos have repeatedly warned developers against unsafe practices, and several buildings have previously been sealed for non-compliance.
