Tragedy struck the Ajuwon community in Ogun State on Monday when a mixed-use building collapsed during a heavy downpour, claiming the lives of three people and prompting the rescue of 12 others. In response, the Ogun State Government has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident.
The ill-fated structure, situated at OGS Bus Stop on Baale Road—a border area between Ogun and Lagos—comprised two ground-floor shops and residential apartments above. According to eyewitnesses, the collapse occurred around 3pm, following intense rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms.
When PUNCH Metro visited the site on Tuesday morning, police and emergency personnel were still conducting search-and-rescue operations, with concerns that more victims might remain trapped. As of Tuesday, the bodies retrieved included an adult woman, a baby, and a 75-year-old man.
A commercial motorcyclist, Godwin, recounted that the rain had driven many residents indoors just before the collapse. “The owner is an engineer. When the rain began, everyone rushed inside, so the building was full. The lower part of the building sank, and the rest caved in on top,” he explained.
Another resident, Ajibola, criticized the delayed emergency response, believing more lives could have been saved with swifter intervention. “People had to borrow an ambulance, and the excavator used for the rubble even injured one of the recovered victims. The lady whose body was retrieved could have been severely hurt if not noticed in time,” he said.
Bisola, a shop owner opposite the building, noted that there were no visible warning signs before the tragedy. “An elderly man who planned to move out that day was among the victims. The building just sank without any prior indication of distress,” she lamented.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed that 12 people were rescued and three fatalities recorded. Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, reported that emergency teams and heavy equipment were deployed following Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s directive, working in coordination with Ogun State authorities and other agencies. He added that a nearby bungalow, structurally compromised by the collapse, would be demolished to prevent further disaster.
Oke-Osanyintolu emphasized Lagos State’s commitment to regional disaster response, stating, “Disaster knows no boundaries. Lagos, as a first responder state, supports our neighbors in distress, in line with international standards on mutual aid.”
Meanwhile, Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun, announced a full investigation into the collapse. Preliminary findings pointed to catastrophic structural failure, causing the lower floors to sink and only fragments of the upper slab to remain visible. Witnesses reported that the building fell soon after the storm, with some residents escaping after noticing warning signs.
Emergency teams from Ogun State, local government, and other agencies responded quickly, aided by contractors who brought heavy machinery within 10 minutes of the incident. Initial searches found no survivors, but further excavation—prompted by traces of blood and footprints—led to the recovery of the first body.
The government noted that only a detailed structural, geotechnical, and forensic investigation would determine the exact cause, which could include foundation defects, soil instability, construction faults, or substandard materials. Governor Abiodun directed relevant state agencies to conduct comprehensive assessments and inspect neighboring structures for safety.
He assured affected residents of government support and warned that anyone found violating building regulations or construction standards would face prosecution. The Ogun State Government also expressed gratitude to Lagos State for its prompt assistance, underscoring the importance of cooperation between the two states in safeguarding lives and property. Developers and residents were urged to obtain all necessary approvals and comply strictly with building standards to prevent similar disasters.
