The city of Lagos was shaken by a tragic incident on March 5, 2025 when a three-storey building located at Oriwu Street in Lekki Phase 1 collapsed around 1:30 p.m, leaving several people trapped under the rubble. The structure, believed to be a potential residential apartment for construction workers, crumbled while in use, leaving behind a scene of devastation and raising serious concerns about building safety in Lagos. The immediate cause of the incident is yet to be ascertained.
Following the incident, correspondents from LAW FM 103.9 visited the scene and spoke with an eyewitness who confirmed the building’s collapse at approximately 1:30 p.m. According to the eyewitness, around 15 people were pulled out of the debris, with an estimated 4 to 5 confirmed dead. Shockingly, the eyewitness also alleged that several underaged foreign nationals were working on the site at the time.
This revelation has ignited further controversy, raising serious questions about child labour violations and immigration compliance.
Our correspondents witnessed first-hand the distressing scenes of families anxiously gathered near the site, desperate for updates on their loved ones who were feared to still be trapped. Additionally, an eye witness confirmed that no Lagos State ambulance services were immediately present during the critical early moments, leaving local residents and bystanders to serve as the initial rescue.
Emergency responders from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and The Nigerian Police Force later arrived to intensify rescue efforts. However, according to Mr. Adedokun Adewale, a search and rescue officer with NEMA Lagos operations, confirming the exact number of individuals rescued or trapped remains difficult. He noted that efforts to account for those on-site are delayed as the site manager who holds the official workers’ register is currently hospitalized.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has sealed off the site and commenced an investigation. Authorities are expected to conduct a thorough structural review, audit the developer’s compliance with safety standards, and identify all responsible parties.
This collapse stands as a stark reminder of the urgent need to enforce Nigeria’s construction laws and labour protections, as well as ensuring that developers are held accountable for putting profit over safety.
