The two-storey building which collapsed early hours on Monday at number 20 Amusu street, Baale junction, Orile Iganmu area of Lagos State, was said to have given sound signal for over 30 minutes before it caved in.
City & Crime witnessed the rumbles of the collapsed building, which was immediately cordoned off by the state’s emergency responders and law enforcement agencies.
In an interview, some residents of the area said the building, owned by an undisclosed developer, was marked for demolition by the state government but still occupied by few persons who own shops on the ground floor.
City & Crime learnt that the sound signal availed some of the occupants to vacate the building before it collapsed.
According to Dayo Adedoyin, many of the occupants have packed out from the building over two months due to the warning signs, claiming the house was poorly constructed.
“I was on my way out when it happened. We heard a sound for 30minutes before and then later it just came down. Some people have even left already. Most of the tenants of the house have gone, that is why we have no casualty.
He said despite the house being sealed by the state government, few people lived there until when it collapsed yesterday.
Ahmed Afeez, a youth leader, said the collapsed building sent a wave of panic, appreciating the state’s responders for quick intervention.
Occupants ignored quit notice — LASEMA
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency has attributed the collapse of the building to structural distress.
The agency’s Head of Public Affairs Unit, Nosa Okunbor, stated on Monday that the building had been identified as distressed by the Lagos State Building Control Agency, adding that despite eviction notices being served, some occupants refused to vacate the premises.
The statement, however, noted that there was no loss of life, and no injuries were reported as all occupants escaped safely.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Commissioner, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Tokunabo Wahab, has condemned the incident.
In a statement posted on his X.com page on Monday, Wahab expressed his sympathy while reiterating the need for public support for the state’s environment policies.
