On Monday morning, a two-storey building in the Orile Iganmu area of Lagos State collapsed, having emitted strange noises for 30 minutes prior to its collapse.
JOURNALIST101 reported that the 2-storey building collapsed in the morning hours of Monday, 14th October, 2024.
In interviews with local residents, it was revealed that the building, owned by an undisclosed developer, had been marked for demolition by the state government but continued to house a few occupants who operated shops on the ground floor.
A report from Daily Trust indicated that the ominous sounds provided some occupants with enough warning to escape before the structure gave way.
Dayo Adedoyin, a resident, shared that many had evacuated the building over the past two months due to its ominous signs, citing poor construction as a major concern.
“I was heading out when it happened. We heard noises for 30 minutes, and then it just came down. Some people had already left. Most tenants moved out, which is why there were no casualties.
“The building is residential, with shops on the ground floor. It had been showing signs of distress for a long time, but it’s a developer’s property, and you know how they build. The building is less than 20 years old; it’s simply not up to standard. We don’t even know who the developer or owner is.
“It was sealed some time ago, and I don’t know how it was allowed to reopen,” he said.
Ahmed Afeez, a youth leader, expressed that the collapse sent a wave of panic through the area and praised the quick response of state authorities. He also voiced concerns about the neighboring building, which he fears is at risk of collapsing.
“I believe they were given notice to vacate. You know some of them can’t afford to leave, and that might be why they are still here. I appreciate the Lagos state government; they are doing their job. Looking at the neighboring building, it doesn’t show any immediate signs indicating they should leave, but my advice is that whenever they notice such signs, they should reach out to the appropriate authorities,” he stated.
Funmilayo Akande Mohammed, Chairperson of the Apapa Iganmu LCDA, urged residents of sealed buildings to vacate for their safety in an interview with reporters at the scene.
“Our people can be quite stubborn. I’m sure the owner knows the state has marked the building, but our people tend to take unnecessary risks for free or cheap housing. I urge everyone there to exercise caution. Do not jeopardize your lives for trivial matters,” she warned.
