Alakija Building Collapse Claims Nine Lives, 27 Rescued

On June 25, 2024, at approximately 12:47 p.m., a two-storey building at Alakija Bus Stop in Satellite Town, Amuwo-Odofin LGA, Lagos, collapsed. The structure housed residents and office workers. The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) led the emergency response, deploying heavy-duty excavators and multi-agency teams.

27 Rescued, Nine Dead As LASEMA Concludes Alakija Building Collapse Operation -

Frequent building collapses in Lagos have been linked to substandard construction and weak regulatory enforcement. The Alakija incident revived public concern and prompted calls for stricter oversight of building safety.

The Straits Times

Within 40 minutes of the collapse, LASEMA’s Sharks Response Team (Lekki Base) and Alpha Cobra Squad (Onipanu) arrived, joined by the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, LASAMBUS, LASTMA, the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, the Federal Road Safety Corps, LASBCA, the Nigeria Police, the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Red Cross, and CCECC. Heavy-duty excavators from LASEMA and two from CCECC were used to reach trapped victims. The operation employed a heavy-duty excavator from LASEMA and two additional excavators supplied by CCECC to clear debris. Rescue operations concluded at 4:00 a.m. on June 26 after all victims were accounted for.

27 Rescued, Nine Dead As LASEMA Concludes Alakija Building Collapse Operation -

LASEMA confirmed nine deaths, including a baby and a two-year-old girl, and rescued 27 people with injuries ranging from minor to severe. The State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit received the bodies for identification and release to families.

LASEMA: Death toll rises in Lagos building collapse

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu instructed LASBCA to assess the structural integrity of adjacent buildings and enforce compliance with building regulations. LASEMA offered condolences to victims’ families and highlighted the coordinated multi-agency effort. The agency also urged residents to report unsafe structures via LASBCA’s toll-free lines (112, 767). The governor also pledged to allocate additional resources for building inspections across the city.

27 Rescued, Nine Dead As LASEMA Concludes Alakija Building Collapse Operation -

• “The fatalities included four adults confirmed dead before rescuers arrived at the scene, while five additional victims, among them a two-year-old girl, were later recovered during the operation,” — Afolabi Olawale, LASEMA spokesperson

LASEMA: Death toll rises in Lagos building collapse

• “on Friday after emergency responders had reached ground zero and accounted for all victims.” — Afolabi Olawale, LASEMA spokesperson

LASEMA: Death toll rises in Lagos building collapse

• “Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) to immediately assess the structural integrity of adjoining buildings and enforce compliance with building regulations in the area.” — Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu

27 Rescued, Nine Dead As LASEMA Concludes Alakija Building Collapse Operation -

• “LASEMA expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished the injured a speedy recovery.” — LASEMA statement

LASEMA: Death toll rises in Lagos building collapse

LASBCA plans to complete the first round of inspections within the next two weeks, will prioritize inspections of adjacent structures, and maintain a toll-free hotline (112, 767) for reporting unsafe buildings. Continued coordination among agencies and community groups is planned to strengthen compliance monitoring and reduce the risk of future collapses.

27 Rescued, Nine Dead As LASEMA Concludes Alakija Building Collapse Operation -