The building located at Iga Iduganran, close to the palace of the Oba of Lagos, collapsed on Thursday, May 30, 2024, plunging the community into horror and sadness. This tragedy adds to a series of recent incidents highlighting safety lapses in the construction and maintenance of structures in the Lagos region.
Gbenga Omostosho, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, confirmed the incident on his official account. According to him, teams from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) managed to rescue eight people trapped under the rubble. However, two other individuals are still trapped, and rescuers are working to extract them safely.
This tragedy comes only four days after the collapse of a mosque in the Papa Ajao district, in which four people, including an 11-year-old girl, lost their lives. These dramatic events raise crucial questions about the regulation and monitoring of urban infrastructure in Lagos.
It is imperative that local authorities take immediate action to strengthen building standards, implement regular inspections and ensure the safety of citizens. Lagosians deserve to live and work in safe, well-maintained spaces, and it is up to those responsible to ensure their protection.
During these difficult times, it is crucial that the community comes together to support the victims and their families, as well as to hold accountable the parties responsible for these preventable tragedies. The safety and well-being of all members of society must be prioritized, and decisive action must be taken to avoid such loss of life in the future.
In conclusion, these tragic events remind us of the vital importance of the security of public and private infrastructure. It is time to act together to prevent such disasters, honor the memory of the victims and ensure a secure future for all citizens of Lagos.