A three-storey building on Baale Road in Ajuwon, Ogun State, collapsed on Monday afternoon, July 27, following a heavy downpour and thunderstorm, leaving three people dead and 12 others rescued alive. The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the casualty figures on Tuesday morning, with rescue operations still ongoing at the site.
Collapse Occurs During Heavy Storm
The building, which housed two shops on the ground floor and residential apartments on the upper floors, came down at around 2 p.m. Eyewitnesses and emergency responders at the scene attributed the collapse to the severe weather conditions. The Ogun State Government, facing the scale of the disaster, formally requested support from its Lagos counterpart, leading to the deployment of LASEMA’s heavy rescue equipment.
Multi-Agency Response Mobilised
LASEMA Permanent Secretary Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu stated on Tuesday that the Lagos State Government approved the deployment to reinforce inter-state emergency cooperation. The LASEMA team arrived with specialised heavy-duty equipment and joined officials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Ogun State Fire Service.
As of 11:42 a.m. on Tuesday, the agency released the following casualty breakdown: 12 adults rescued alive, one adult female recovered dead, one baby girl recovered dead, and one elderly man aged 75 recovered dead. Search and recovery efforts continued at the site.
Lagos Cites Regional Solidarity
Oke-Osanyintolu described the cross-border intervention as a benchmark for regional solidarity in emergency management. He said: "This action reflects the Lagos State Government's commitment to the principle that 'disaster knows no boundaries'. By extending operational support beyond state lines, Lagos is setting a benchmark for regional solidarity and integrated emergency management across Western Nigeria and the nation at large."
He added that the deployment aligns with international standards on mutual aid and cooperative disaster governance. Lagos will continue to partner with the Federal Government, NEMA, and neighbouring states to build a more resilient region. Oke-Osanyintolu also extended condolences to the families of those who died and wished the injured a full recovery.
Broader Context of Building Collapses in Nigeria
Building collapses remain a recurring issue in Nigeria, often linked to poor construction standards, use of substandard materials, and inadequate enforcement of building regulations. This incident on Baale Road adds to a growing list of structural failures across the country, particularly in the South-West region. The inter-state cooperation between Lagos and Ogun highlights the need for joint emergency protocols to address disasters that transcend state boundaries.
Rescue teams continue to sift through the debris, with hopes of finding any remaining survivors. Investigations into the cause of the collapse are expected to follow, as authorities urge building owners and developers to adhere strictly to safety codes.
