The death toll from Thursday’s three-storey building collapse along the Alakija axis of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area has risen to nine, while 27 people were rescued alive after an intensive search-and-rescue operation that lasted into the early hours of Friday.
The building, which collapsed at about 11:40 a.m. near Alakija Bridge inward Satellite Town, housed a long-established printing business known to many residents, as well as residential apartments.
Emergency officials said rescue operations continued throughout the day and concluded at about 4:00 a.m. on Friday after responders reached ground zero.
According to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), 27 victims were rescued alive and given emergency medical care by the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) before being transported to nearby hospitals for further treatment.
Nine bodies were recovered from the rubble, including that of a two-year-old girl. Officials disclosed that four of the victims had died before rescue teams arrived, while five additional bodies were recovered during the overnight operation.
The deceased were handed over to the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit (SEHMU) for identification and subsequent release to their families.
The rescue operation involved personnel from LASEMA’s Shark Response Team from the Lekki Base and the Alpha Cobra Squad from Onipanu, alongside the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, LASAMBUS, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Red Cross and CCECC.
Community members also joined emergency responders in assisting rescue efforts during the operation.
To speed up access to trapped victims, LASEMA deployed its heavy-duty excavator to complement two excavators provided by CCECC, allowing rescue teams to safely clear the debris and complete the search.
The operation was coordinated by LASEMA Director of Operations, Olanrewaju Akinsanya, alongside Cappa Base Coordinator, Salami.
The collapse has sent shockwaves across Amuwo-Odofin, Satellite Town and surrounding communities, where the building had been a familiar landmark for many years.
As investigations continue, residents are calling for comprehensive structural assessments of adjoining buildings and stricter enforcement of building regulations to prevent similar incidents.
Authorities have also encouraged members of the public to promptly report distressed or structurally defective buildings through the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) or by calling the state’s emergency numbers, 112 or 767.
The cause of the building collapse has not yet been officially announced.