Amanze Chinonye
At least fifteen people were rescued after a two-storey residential building collapsed in the early hours of Monday, October 27, 2025, at No. 54, Cole Street, Cemetery Bus Stop, by UBA Bank, Oyingbo, Lagos, leaving several others feared trapped beneath the rubble.
According to the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (LSFRS), the agency received a distress call around 12:20 a.m. and promptly mobilised rescue teams from its Sari-Iganmu Fire Station to the scene.
In a statement, the Director of the agency, Margaret Adeseye, confirmed that seven adult males, four adult females, and four children were rescued alive from the debris.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe victims sustained varying degrees of injuries and were taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute-Metta, and the General Hospital, Odan (Lagos Island), for treatment.
“The search and rescue operations are still ongoing, as more people are feared trapped. Our combined emergency teams remain on site to ensure no life is left behind,” Adeseye said.
Officials said the building had earlier been marked as distressed by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), but some residents reportedly ignored evacuation warnings. The cause of the collapse has not yet been determined, though authorities have launched an investigation into the structural failure.
The collapse occurred while residents were asleep, catching many unaware. Eyewitnesses said they heard loud cracks before the building gave way, followed by cries for help from those trapped inside.
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Personnel from LASBCA, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), and other first responders have cordoned off the area and begun assessing adjoining structures to prevent further incidents. As of press time, rescue teams continued to dig through the rubble using excavators and floodlights.
No deaths had been confirmed, but emergency officials said operations would continue until all trapped victims were accounted for.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the frequent cases of building collapses in Lagos, where several similar tragedies have occurred in recent years despite repeated warnings about unsafe structures.
Urban safety experts and civil society groups have attributed the recurring problem to poor construction practices, substandard materials, and weak regulatory enforcement.
The Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) has repeatedly urged the Lagos State Government to intensify inspections of distressed buildings and prosecute defaulters who ignore official demolition or evacuation notices.
Authorities said a formal investigation will determine the immediate cause of Monday’s collapse and whether negligence, poor maintenance, or structural defects were to blame.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
