By Ayo Ayodele
A three‑storey building on Thursday morning collapsed at 2/4 Asesi Lane, also known as Sasi Lane (SASI Palace), off Adeniji Adele Road on Lagos Island. Four individuals have been rescued alive from the debris and taken to the hospital for urgent medical care.
Confirming the incident, Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, writing on his Facebook account, stated that emergency services responded swiftly to the scene and that the cause of the collapse is not yet known. “Rescue operations are ongoing, and we commend the bravery of our emergency responders who acted promptly,” Omotosho said.
Emergency personnel on site include the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), and the Nigeria Police Force.
This latest collapse is one in a series of structural failures that have plagued Lagos in recent years, particularly on the Island. The growing number of incidents has sparked widespread concern among residents over building integrity and safety compliance.
Experts frequently attribute such collapses to factors including substandard materials, illegal modifications, poor engineering practices, and unstable soil conditions.
Mr. Omotosho assured the public that an investigation has been launched to determine the immediate and remote causes of the incident and to hold anyone found culpable accountable.