Lagos govt begins probe into school building collapse in Ogba

By Lawrence Agbo

The Lagos state government has launched an investigation into the collapse of a school building on Adu Street in the Aguda neighbourhood in Ogba.

The four-story building, which had a private school and residential residents, collapsed on Monday, according to the Lagos State Building Control Agency.

According to a statement released on Tuesday by LASBCA’s Director of Public Affairs, Adu Ademuyiwa, no fatalities were reported because the building’s occupants, including staff and students, had already left before it collapsed.

“The building, which accommodated both residential occupants and a private school, collapsed on Monday, causing concern within the neighbourhood.

“No casualties were recorded as students, staff and other occupants had exited the building before the incident occurred,” the statement read.

To assess the situation and ensure public safety, officials from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency and other responders visited the site shortly after the incident, according to the agency.

“As part of precautionary measures, occupants of nearby buildings were advised to vacate their premises temporarily while safety assessments are being conducted on surrounding structures to determine their condition and structural stability,” the statement added.

According to LASBCA’s initial evaluations, the property had undergone renovations before the collapse.

“However, a comprehensive investigation is currently underway to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the collapse,” the agency stated.

The agency emphasised the necessity for property owners and developers to stick to regulatory processes during building or repair work and advised residents to be calm and cooperate with authorities while technical inspections are ongoing.

“LASBCA reiterates the importance of engaging appropriate regulatory processes and maintaining regular communication with building control authorities when carrying out construction, renovation, or structural modification works,” the statement said.

According to a report, some pupils were admitted to the hospital after being hurt during the building’s evacuation, which included Yemco Daycare Nursery, Primary and Comprehensive College.

Residents informed reporters that the building collapsed at approximately 11 a.m., shortly after a fracture was discovered in one of the building’s walls.

Femi Aderoju, a neighbour, claimed that a local fashion designer was the first to notice the crack and promptly informed the neighbours and school administration.

The building fell minutes after the pupils were evacuated, he continued, adding that teachers had evacuated the students right away.

Teachers quickly took a head count after evacuating the pupils to make sure no one was stuck in the building, according to a school staff member who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Also, people stated that before the building’s collapse, ground-floor renovations were ongoing.

Another homeowner, Ajibola Salami, speculated that the reconstruction may have contributed to the crack that led to the collapse.

While surrounding buildings that shared the same grounds were evacuated and shut by authorities for safety assessments, representatives of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, LASBCA, and other emergency responders were seen on the scene during the event.