At least three people have lost their lives after a two-storey building reportedly sank into the ground along Baale Road in the Ajuwon area of Ifo Local Government Area, Ogun State.
The South-West Zonal Director of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Saheed Akiode, confirmed the incident while speaking to The Leader Nigeria at the scene on Tuesday.
Akiode disclosed that rescue teams were still clearing debris in a bid to locate anyone who might still be trapped beneath the collapsed structure.
He explained that the entire building would need to be demolished to allow emergency workers full access to the site and ensure a thorough search operation.
“The operation is still ongoing and we need to ensure that the building is brought down to ground level so that we can see what is underneath. The situation is calm, and we urge everyone in the area to remain peaceful. As of yesterday, 12 persons were rescued alive, while three bodies were recovered from the rubble,” Akiode said.
He added that NEMA immediately activated all relevant emergency response agencies upon receiving information about the incident, noting that personnel had been on the ground since Monday carrying out rescue and recovery operations.
The Chairman of Ifo Local Government, Kusimo Idris, also confirmed that 12 occupants were rescued from the building, including two newborn babies who are less than two months old.
Eyewitnesses and emergency responders said the tragic incident occurred at about 2 p.m. on Monday following a heavy downpour and shortly after a thunderstorm.
Unconfirmed reports indicated that about 15 people were inside the building when the incident occurred.
The collapse is said to have brought down two floors of the structure, leaving only the topmost floor partially intact.
While The Leader Nigeria was still at the scene, officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and other rescue agencies arrived to support the ongoing operation.
