Occupants of collapsed building ignored eviction notices

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has revealed that the occupants of a two-storey building in Orile Iganmu ignored eviction notices before its collapse on Monday, October 14, 2024, attributing the incident to structural distress.

Nosa Okunbor, Head of the Public Affairs Unit, stated on Monday that the Lagos State Building Control Agency had previously identified the building as distressed.

Despite the issuance of eviction notices, some occupants remained in the building, which ultimately led to the collapse.

“Upon the arrival of the Agency’s Response Team at the incident scene at 09:33hrs, it was observed that a two-storey residential building had collapsed on Monday, 14th October 2024. The cause of the collapse was attributed to distress,” Okunbor stated.

LASEMA further noted that information gathered from the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) revealed that the occupants had been served eviction notices due to the building’s unsafe condition, yet some chose to remain.

“The occupants of the building had been served with eviction notices due to its distressed state, but some remained defiant,” the agency’s statement read.

Fortunately, there were no reported casualties or injuries, as all occupants had evacuated the premises before the collapse when signs of imminent danger became apparent.

“All occupants of the building evacuated before the collapse as signs of imminent danger became apparent,” the statement added.

In the aftermath of the incident, LASEMA cordoned off the site for safety reasons and evacuated all remaining occupants.

Earlier reports from Tribune Online indicated that the building crumbled in the early hours of Monday, with a video circulating online showing the structure caving in while nearby residents fled to safety.