Four Rescued, Several Trapped as 3-Storey Building Under Construction Collapses in Yaba
A three-storey building that was under construction at No. 333 Borno Street, Alagomeji, Yaba, collapsed late on Friday evening (about 8:30 p.m.), prompting an immediate multi-agency search and rescue response. Emergency teams have so far pulled four adult males from the rubble; the exact number of people still trapped remains uncertain as rescue work continues into the following day.
What Happened — Chronological Account
At around 8:30 p.m. on Friday, 12 September 2025, a three-storey structure that was still under construction gave way at the site on Borno Street in the Alagomeji area of Yaba. Eyewitnesses reported an immediate cloud of dust, loud crashes, and the cries of trapped workers and bystanders. Some witnesses initially estimated five to six people were trapped beneath the debris; reports varied in the chaotic first minutes.
Neighbourhood residents, construction colleagues and passers-by rushed to the scene and began ad hoc attempts to pull survivors from the rubble even before formal rescue teams arrived. Within minutes, teams from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Lagos State emergency services mobilised to conduct a coordinated search and rescue operation.
Rescue Operation — Who Responded and What They Found
Responding organisations included:
- National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
- Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA)
- Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service
- Lagos State Building Control Agency
- Local police units and ambulance services
Emergency crews worked through the night using hand tools, lighting, and machinery where safe to do so. Four adult males were rescued alive and taken to hospital for treatment. Some media reports and officials later confirmed fatalities as the operation progressed, though the exact number remained uncertain.
Site Safety and Continuing Search
Authorities cordoned off the immediate area to protect the public and allow rescue crews room to operate. Officials warned locals to keep clear so that heavy rescue equipment could be brought in and to avoid secondary injuries from unstable structures. Teams emphasized that the number of people still trapped could not be reliably determined until rubble was fully cleared.
Casualties, Injuries and Hospital Response
Four men were pulled alive from the wreckage and transported to hospital. Reports indicated that at least one or two bodies had also been recovered. Hospitals in Yaba and surrounding districts treated survivors for crush injuries, fractures, lacerations, and possible internal injuries.
Preliminary Causes and Context
No definitive cause had been announced in the immediate aftermath. Investigations will be led by Lagos State building control agencies to determine whether the collapse resulted from structural defects, design errors, substandard materials, or regulatory non-compliance. Commentators noted that building collapses are a recurring problem in Lagos, often linked to weak oversight.
Eyewitness Accounts and Neighbourhood Impact
Residents described a chaotic scene: dust and noise, neighbours assisting trapped workers, and rescuers operating with torches and basic tools until heavier equipment arrived. Adjacent structures were inspected for damage, and residents nearby were temporarily displaced while rescue teams worked. Traffic disruptions followed as ambulances and security cordons took over the area.
What Officials Said
NEMA confirmed the collapse and reported that four people were rescued and taken to hospital, while stressing that search operations were ongoing. Lagos State agencies likewise stated they had deployed fire & rescue, building control and emergency units to lead SAR and to secure the site. Officials pledged thorough investigations and urged the public to allow responders to work unimpeded.
Picture References (for Editorial Use)
Suggested sources for pictures of the incident:
- NEMA official posts showing night-time rescue operations
- Punch Newspaper photographs from the scene
- Tribune / NAN images of responders clearing rubble
- Peoples Gazette / Daily Post images of ambulances and cordons
- Vanguard and SaharaReporters photos with wide views of the collapsed site