Tragedy struck early this morning on Oremeta Street, in the Ojodu Berger axis of Lagos State, as a three-storey building housing the popular Equal Rights Restaurant & Bar collapsed, leaving two person dead and at least 12 others injured.
Panic gripped the neighborhood as the building suddenly caved in, catching many occupants and nearby residents unaware. The cause of the collapse remains unknown at this time.
Eyewitnesses described the moment of the collapse as horrifying. “It was like an explosion,” said one resident, “We just saw the building come down, and people were screaming and running. Some were trapped inside.”
Emergency services, including the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), firefighters, and police, arrived swiftly at the scene. Rescue efforts have since continued in a race against time to recover victims from beneath the rubble.
The confirmed casualty believed to be a worker at the restaurant was pulled out lifeless, while 12 others with varying degrees of injury have been rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention.
LASEMA’s Director-General, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed the figures and noted that structural integrity concerns had previously been raised about similar buildings in the area. “Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the collapse,” he said.
Residents have raised concerns about the safety of aging and unregulated structures in the Ojodu Berger area, calling on relevant authorities to enforce building regulations and conduct structural audits.
Officials are urging members of the public to avoid the scene to allow emergency responders unrestricted access, while security agents have cordoned off the area to maintain order and ensure the safety of nearby buildings.
This incident adds to the growing list of building collapses in Lagos, reigniting calls for stricter enforcement of building codes and safety measures.
Further updates will be provided as rescue operations continue and investigations progress.
For now, Ojodu Berger mourns yet another avoidable tragedy—one that brings renewed attention to the importance of urban planning, structural safety, and lives lost in the gaps of enforcement.
