When Warnings Fail: Yaba Collapse Underscores Lagos Building Crisis

A construction site in Yaba, Lagos turned into a disaster zone on Friday night after an unfinished three-storey building collapsed, leaving several individuals trapped beneath the debris. The incident occurred at approximately 8:30 p.m. at 333 Borno Street in the Alagomeji area, prompting an urgent multi-agency rescue response.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed the collapse in a statement posted on its official X handle the following morning. The agency reported that four adult males were rescued alive from the rubble and taken to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment.

Although the exact number of those trapped has yet to be confirmed, early eyewitness accounts suggested that five to six people were believed to be inside or near the building when it gave way.

Rescue efforts were quickly launched by personnel from NEMA, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and other first responders. The scene was secured and operations extended through the night in an attempt to locate any remaining survivors.

In its official communication, NEMA stated that emergency officials had cordoned off the collapse site to ensure both public safety and efficient search operations. “The search and rescue effort is continuing into the night, and no effort will be spared to save lives,” the agency noted.

This collapse has once again highlighted a longstanding issue in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria: the alarming frequency of building failures. Experts have consistently pointed to systemic problems such as poor construction practices, the use of substandard materials, and a chronic lack of regulatory enforcement as key contributors.

Available data from civil society organisations and government sources reveal that building collapses occur dozens of times each year across the country, frequently resulting in loss of life, serious injuries, and homelessness for affected residents.

In Lagos, officials have repeatedly taken steps to address the issue, sealing numerous non-compliant structures and warning developers against cutting corners. Yet, Friday’s collapse is a stark reminder that many unsafe construction projects continue to slip through the cracks.

At the time of this report, search and rescue operations remained ongoing at the Yaba site. Authorities have urged members of the public to steer clear of the area to allow emergency crews to work without obstruction.