The Lagos State Government has vowed to demolish all structurally defective buildings previously marked for removal in Alakija, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area, following the collapse of a three-storey building that claimed nine lives and left 27 others rescued.
The announcement came after emergency responders concluded search and rescue operations at the scene of the tragedy.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, disclosed this on Friday while inspecting the site on behalf of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
He expressed condolences to the families of the victims and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enforcing building regulations to prevent similar incidents.
“On behalf of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, we sympathise with the families that lost their loved ones. We pray that such a tragedy never happens again,” he said.
Omotoso praised emergency agencies, including the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, the Fire and Rescue Service, the Lagos State Building Control Agency, the Police, the Military and the Command and Control Centre, for their swift intervention.
“By the grace of God, 27 people were rescued alive, although we sadly lost nine lives,” he added.
According to him, the collapsed building had earlier been identified as distressed and marked for evacuation, but residents failed to comply with the directive.
“These buildings had been marked as defective and occupants were asked to vacate them. Unfortunately, that did not happen, and we have seen the consequences,” he said.
The commissioner stressed that all other buildings already marked as unsafe in the area would be demolished to prevent further disasters.
“All the buildings that have been marked will come down. We cannot allow dangerous structures to remain standing because protecting lives is our priority,” he stated.
He warned that anyone found to have violated building regulations or obstructed enforcement efforts would face legal action.
“Whoever is found culpable will face the full weight of the law. Appropriate sanctions will be imposed on anyone responsible,” Omotoso said.
He also condemned the construction of buildings beneath high-tension electricity lines, describing the practice as dangerous and unlawful.
“You cannot build under high-tension power lines. It is unsafe and unacceptable in any civilised society. The government will not tolerate such violations,” he said.
Urging residents to obey safety directives, Omotoso noted that no economic activity should take precedence over human life.
“The most important lesson is that life must always come first. Once life is lost, everything else becomes meaningless,” he said.
He added that those rescued from the collapse are receiving medical attention, while investigations into the cause of the incident are ongoing.