A devastating structural collapse has thrown the Alakija area of Lagos State into mourning after a three-storey shopping complex crumbled, leaving at least eight people dead and 26 others rescued from the debris.

The disaster occurred on Thursday, June 25, on Old Ojo Road by Alakija Bus Stop, just off the busy Lagos-Badagry Expressway in Satellite Town.

Immediate Emergency Activation

The building caved in at approximately 11:37 a.m., instantly activating a massive, multi-agency emergency response. The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), under the leadership of its Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, spearheaded the operations.

First responders systematically moved into the wreckage to search for and extricate victims caught beneath the heavy structural slabs.

The Human Toll

By late afternoon, officials provided a grim update on the casualties recovered from ground zero.

“As of 4:20 p.m., a total of 26 persons have been rescued alive, while eight fatalities have been recorded, including a baby girl. Search and rescue operations remain ongoing. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.”

Among the initial recoveries during the early hours of the operation was an adult male. Reports indicate that the toll was worsened because several shop owners and occupants had already resumed their daily business activities inside the complex when the structure suddenly failed.

Coordinated Rescue Efforts

The life-saving operation brought together a combination of state and federal assets. Heavy-duty excavators were deployed to the site to clear massive concrete blocks safely.

The joint response included personnel from:

  • LASEMA

  • Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA)

  • Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service

  • Federal Fire Service

  • Nigeria Police Force

  • Nigerian Navy

  • Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps

  • Nigerian Red Cross Society

  • CRCC Construction Company

Authorities have strongly advised members of the public and onlookers to stay clear of the perimeter. Keeping the surrounding roads open ensures that emergency vehicles and heavy machinery maintain unrestricted access to continue searching for any remaining survivors.