Three-Storey Building Collapses in Yaba, Four Rescued as Search Operations Continue

Tragedy struck in Lagos on Friday night, September 12, 2025, when a three-storey building under construction collapsed at 333 Borno Street, Alagomeji, Yaba, leaving several persons trapped beneath the rubble.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in a statement on its X handle on Saturday, confirmed that the building caved in at about 8:30 p.m. and that prompt intervention from emergency responders had led to the rescue of four adult males, who were immediately rushed to hospital for treatment.

According to NEMA, eyewitness accounts of those trapped varied, with some claiming six people were inside the building while others reported five. The agency, however, stressed that rescue operations were still ongoing to determine the actual number of victims.

“Teams from the National Emergency Management Agency, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and other responders quickly mobilised to the scene and commenced search and rescue operations,” NEMA disclosed.

The affected site has since been cordoned off to allow for safe and uninterrupted rescue efforts, which have continued late into the night. Responders assured residents that no effort would be spared in locating and evacuating survivors.

Building collapses are a recurring tragedy in Lagos and other Nigerian cities, often linked to poor construction practices, substandard materials, negligence, and weak regulatory enforcement. Data from the Lagos State Government and civil society organisations indicate that dozens of such incidents occur annually, resulting in casualties, injuries, and displacement of families.

Authorities in Lagos have repeatedly warned developers and contractors against unsafe practices. In recent months, several buildings have been sealed or demolished by regulators for flouting safety standards. Despite these measures, collapses continue to plague parts of the state, raising urgent questions about enforcement and compliance.

As of the time of filing this report, emergency responders were still combing through the debris in Yaba, with hopes of rescuing more survivors alive.