Building collapse: Sanwo-Olu orders demolition of distressed buildings, prosecution of owner

The Lagos State Government has ordered the demolition of all distressed buildings surrounding the collapsed three-storey building at Alakija, along the Badagry Expressway, as part of efforts to prevent similar tragedies.

A statement by the Lagos State Government said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu gave the directive during an inspection of the collapse site on Friday, where he was represented by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso.

Speaking at the scene, Omotoso sympathised with the families of the victims and commended emergency responders for their swift response to the incident.

He disclosed that 27 persons were rescued alive from the rubble, while nine others lost their lives during the overnight search and rescue operation.

According to him, officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), the Police, the Command and Control Centre, the Neighbourhood Watch and other emergency agencies remained at the scene throughout the operation.

“Governor Sanwo-Olu is saddened by this incident. He sends his condolences.

“This should not have happened if people had obeyed the law instead of prioritising livelihoods over lives. The collapsed building had been marked as structurally distressed, and occupants were directed to vacate the premises, but the warning was ignored,” he said.

He further announced that all buildings previously identified as unsafe within the area would be demolished to prevent another disaster.

“All other buildings already marked as unsafe within the area will be demolished to prevent similar tragedies and avoid compromising the lives of others around.

“Twenty-seven people were rescued alive, while nine casualties were recorded during the search and rescue operation. Governor Sanwo-Olu commiserates with the families who lost their loved ones,” Omotoso said.

The commissioner also stated that the owner of the collapsed building would face prosecution, warning that anyone found to have violated building regulations or obstructed enforcement efforts would be made to answer for their actions.

“Anyone found to have violated building regulations or frustrated enforcement efforts will surely face legal action,” he said.

Omotoso condemned the construction of buildings beneath high-tension electricity lines, describing the practice as unsafe and unacceptable.

According to him, investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the collapse, while survivors are currently receiving treatment at various hospitals.

“Owners of the collapsed and other distressed buildings will be prosecuted for culpability in the incident in accordance with the laws of Lagos State.

“You cannot build under high-tension power lines. It is dangerous and unacceptable in any civilised society. It shows disregard for the law, and the government will not tolerate that,” Omotoso said.

He urged residents to obey safety directives issued by government agencies, stressing that protecting lives remains the government’s top priority.

Omotoso also advised occupants of buildings around the collapse site to relocate immediately and praised emergency responders for what he described as “a good job.”

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, commended “all first responders and security personnel who worked tirelessly in the evacuation of survivors after the building collapsed.”

The commissioner was accompanied on the inspection by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Gbenga Oyerinde, who also praised the first responders “for their efforts.”

Building collapse: Sanwo-Olu orders demolition of distressed buildings, prosecution of owner