The death toll from the collapsed building at Ojodu-Berger, Lagos, has now reached eight after rescuers discovered two more bodies from the rubble on Monday, April 21, 2025.
Prior to this, six deaths had already been confirmed, with 20 survivors rescued following the collapse of the three-story uncompleted structure located at No. 10 Oremeta Street around 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 19, 2025.
The retrieval of the additional bodies added to the intense emotions at the scene, where numerous sympathizers had gathered since the incident.
Many of those present were overcome with grief, and the area has become a place of reflection for locals and visitors alike.
Construction had recently resumed on the top floor of the building before it gave way.
According to a resident, the ground floor served as a bar, eatery, and parking space, while the upper floors remained unoccupied.
Officials from the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) continued working at the site on Monday, using excavators to clear debris and load it onto trucks.
The building’s owner, Mariam Omotanwa Salua, CEO of Equal Rights Restaurant, had allegedly started renovations on the building, including the addition of new pillars, without informing the necessary regulatory bodies.
It was reported that the two bodies discovered on Monday were staff members of Equal Rights Restaurant, a popular spot for locals on the ground floor.
Survivors, primarily adult females, are currently receiving treatment at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
The Lagos State government has arrested the building’s owner, Mr. Sani Salau, who is expected to face legal consequences.
A resident at the site, visibly distraught, shared that a 22-year-old restaurant worker, Ayomide Adebola, is feared to be trapped.
A disc jockey who survived the incident explained that he noticed a shifting pillar and falling blocks, prompting him to raise an alarm.
“I rushed upstairs to warn others, but some didn’t take me seriously. I left with a few people just before the building collapsed,” he recalled.
Alhaji Abdulganiu Sani, Chairman of the All Ojodu Communities Development Association, criticized LASBCA for failing to properly oversee the building’s condition, arguing that it should have been marked for demolition.
LASBCA spokesperson, Ademuyiwa Adu, responded by noting that although residents were aware of the building’s deteriorating state, they failed to report it to the agency or the nearby Lagos State Material Testing Laboratory (LSMTL).
Meanwhile, scavengers tried to invade the site to remove reinforcement bars from the wreckage but were stopped by police and LASBCA officials.
Only a designated truck was allowed to remove the iron bars.
