A survivor of the three-storey building collapse at Alakija in Lagos has disclosed that visible cracks had appeared on the structure days before it caved in, raising fresh concerns over compliance with safety regulations and the handling of distressed buildings.
Speaking after narrowly escaping the tragedy, Mr. Kenneth Nwabueze said occupants had noticed signs of structural failure and informed the landlord, but no immediate action was taken before the building collapsed on Thursday.
Nwabueze, who lost his apprentice in the incident, described his survival as a miracle, saying he left the building only minutes before the structure came down.
According to him, cracks had developed on parts of the building about a week before the collapse, prompting tenants to alert the landlord about the danger.
“There were visible cracks on the walls and the landlord was informed, but nothing was done before the building collapsed,” he said.
He explained that occupants remained in the building because they believed repairs would soon commence after assurances from the landlord.
Nwabueze recounted that he had briefly stepped out to deliver a job when he received a distress call informing him that the building had collapsed and several people were trapped beneath the rubble.
“I rushed back immediately and directed rescuers to where my workers were trapped. Some people were rescued alive, but my apprentice did not survive,” he said.
The survivor lamented the loss of lives and property, noting that the tragedy could have been avoided if necessary preventive measures had been taken.
He urged residents to prioritise their safety whenever signs of structural defects appear in any building.
“Life comes first. Property and money can be replaced, but lives cannot. People should never ignore warning signs,” he said.
The collapse claimed nine lives and left several others injured, prompting the Lagos State Government to order investigations and announce plans to prosecute owners of distressed buildings who fail to comply with safety directives.
Authorities have since reiterated warnings to residents to immediately vacate buildings marked as structurally unsafe to prevent similar incidents.
