Three people have died and 12 others have been rescued alive after a three-storey mixed-use building collapsed at OGS Bus Stop, Baale Road, Ajuwon, Ogun State.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, prompted a joint rescue operation involving emergency agencies from Ogun State and Lagos State as responders searched through the rubble for possible survivors.
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The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), which joined the operation following a request from the Ogun State Government, confirmed that the rescued victims included residents trapped beneath the collapsed structure.
In an operational update released on Tuesday, LASEMA said the deceased victims were an adult woman, a baby girl and a 75-year-old man.
The agency said rescue operations remained ongoing as emergency workers continued efforts to locate anyone who might still be trapped under the debris.
LASEMA deployed its elite response team alongside heavy-duty rescue and recovery equipment after Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu directed the agency to support the Ogun State authorities.
The operation involved collaboration between LASEMA, the Ogun State Government, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigeria Police Force, the Ogun State Fire Service, the Amotekun Corps and other emergency responders.
A preliminary assessment of the site revealed that an adjoining bungalow had suffered severe structural damage following the collapse and posed a possible danger to residents and rescue personnel.
LASEMA said the affected building would undergo controlled demolition to prevent further collapse and ensure safety around the area.
Speaking on the deployment, the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, said emergency response should extend beyond state boundaries during disasters.
“This deployment reflects the vision of Mr Governor that disaster knows no boundaries. Lagos, as a Centre of Excellence and a First Responder State, has both the capacity and the responsibility to support our neighbours in times of distress,” he said.
Oke-Osanyintolu urged members of the public to avoid the area to allow emergency teams to carry out rescue operations without obstruction.
He also called on property owners and developers to comply with building regulations and conduct regular structural assessments to reduce the risk of future building failures.
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The cause of the collapse has not yet been disclosed, while investigations and rescue activities continue at the scene.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
