One Dead, Two Rescued as Building Collapses During Demolition in Lagos

A two-storey building being manually demolished in the Aboru area of Alimosho collapsed in the early hours of Thursday, killing one worker.

A two-storey building under demolition collapsed in the early hours of Thursday at No. 42, Governors Road, Aboru, in the Alimosho area of Lagos State, killing one person and injuring two others.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency said its Alpha Eagle Response Team was dispatched to the scene at 12:56 a.m. after the structure came down during what officials described as manual demolition work. The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service assisted in the operation, while the Lagos State Ambulance Service provided first aid on-site and transported the injured to hospital.

One adult male died in the incident, while two other adult males were rescued alive and are receiving treatment, according to the emergency response agency.

LASEMA’s Director-General, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, urged property owners and developers to follow proper procedure. “We urge members of the public and developers to adhere strictly to building regulations and engage only certified professionals,” he said.

The incident adds to a long-running pattern of building collapses in Lagos, which officials say accounts for roughly 55 per cent of such incidents recorded nationwide. Experts have repeatedly pointed to structural defects, substandard materials, poor site supervision and non-compliance with building codes as recurring causes, including during demolition exercises, which carry their own safety risks when not properly supervised.

It has not yet been established whether the demolition at the Aboru site was properly authorised or supervised by certified personnel, and authorities have not said whether any sanctions or further investigation will follow.