By Heapnews
The Lagos State government has deployed emergency responders and heavy rescue equipment to assist in search and rescue operations following a building collapse in Ajuwon, a border community between Lagos and Ogun states, where at least three people have died and 12 others have been rescued.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said it joined the operation after receiving approval from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, deploying its specialised rescue team to support the Ogun State government and other emergency agencies responding to the incident at OGS Bus Stop in Ajuwon.
LASEMA said responders, working alongside officials from the Ogun State government, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigeria Police Force, the Amotekun Corps and other stakeholders, had rescued 12 people alive while recovering three bodies from the rubble.
Search and rescue efforts were continuing on Tuesday, with emergency workers excavating below the building’s foundation level to ensure no one remained trapped beneath the debris.
The agency said an adjoining bungalow, weakened by the collapse, would be carefully demolished to prevent a secondary collapse that could endanger rescue workers and nearby residents.
LASEMA expressed condolences to the families of those who died and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
The agency also urged property owners and developers to comply with building regulations and conduct regular structural integrity assessments to reduce the risk of similar incidents.
Building collapses are a recurring problem in Nigeria, often blamed on poor construction standards, substandard materials, weak regulatory enforcement and inadequate maintenance. Authorities have repeatedly called for stricter compliance with building codes to curb the incidents.