Orile Iganmu Building Marked For Demolition Before Collapse – Lagos Govt

…Says Occupants Refused to Leave

The Lagos State Government has revealed that the two-story building that collapsed on Monday morning in the Orile Iganmu area had been marked for demolition prior to the incident. This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso.

The incident occurred on Amusu Street, near Baale Bus Stop, and caused residents to flee in panic. A video circulating on social media captured the chaotic scene as people scrambled to escape.

Fortunately, both the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and the Lagos Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that there were no casualties. Omotoso reiterated this, stating that the building had been evacuated two weeks before the collapse.

He said, “A distressed storey building already marked for demolition has collapsed in Orile-Iganmu.

“No casualty was recorded as the building had been evacuated two weeks before the incident. In fact, it had been marked for demolition.”

LASEMA attributed the building collapse to structural distress. According to the agency, the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) had issued a notice for occupants to vacate the premises due to its dangerous condition. However, some occupants were resistant to leaving.

The Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, stated that all occupants managed to escape as the building showed signs of imminent collapse.

Oke-Osanyintolu said, “Upon arrival of the Agency’s LRT to the scene of incident, it was revealed that a Storey building at the aforementioned location had collapsed as a result of the aged situation of the building.

“It was also confirmed that the residents had been advised of the imminent collapse and proved recalcitrant. Fortunately, all occupants escaped unscathed ensuring no casaulities to the collapse.

“Immediate Evacuation will be required to ensure the collapse site is cleared. The adjacent building has been cordoned off and an evacuation order issued.”

The General Manager of LASBCA, Gbolahan Oki, assured the public that the building was already recognized as distressed, and occupants had been evacuated before the collapse. He urged the public to report distressed buildings in their communities and called on those in the construction industry to uphold safety standards in their work.

Commenting on the incident, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, emphasized that government policies aim to protect lives rather than punish residents. He urged Lagosians to support efforts to prevent such tragedies.

“The unfortunate building collapse on Amusu Street, Iganmu is a sobering reminder of why we must remain firm in our regulatory actions and proactive measures.

“While this incident is deeply regrettable, it highlights the critical need for cooperation from all members of the public in supporting government efforts aimed at preventing such tragedies,” Wahab said.

He added, “Our policies are not designed to punish indiscriminately but to protect lives and ensure the structural integrity of our environments. It is crucial that residents and stakeholders alike prioritize compliance with safety standards to avoid avoidable disasters.

“In Lagos, we are fully committed to safeguarding the wellbeing of all, and we call on everyone to join hands with us in this mission to secure a safer and healthier future for our communities.”