The Lagos State Government has announced immediate plans for the enforcement of building safety laws, confirming that Lagos to Demolish Distressed Buildings in Alakija Town will commence shortly following a fatal structural collapse. The decision comes after a three-storey shopping complex situated along Old Ojo Road near Alakija Bus Stop in the Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area caved in, leading to the loss of nine lives and leaving dozens injured. Addressing journalists during an on-site evaluation, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, stated that the exercise will target structures already marked for evacuation to mitigate future risks to public safety.

Emergency operations, handled by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency along with multiple partner organizations, have officially concluded after successfully rescuing 27 survivors from the rubble. Officials revealed that the collapsed commercial structure had been explicitly cataloged as defective by the state’s safety controllers; however, tenants routinely ignored evacuation mandates. In response to this disregard for public safety codes, the administration has ordered the Lagos State Building Control Agency to run comprehensive structural tests on adjoining premises to enforce mandatory compliance throughout the vicinity.

The government reiterates that the effort for Lagos to Demolish Distressed Buildings in Alakija Town remains an uncompromised priority to ensure human preservation over commercial activities. Additional safety concerns were raised by officials regarding illegal developments built directly beneath high-voltage electricity lines, a situation described as highly precarious. Regulatory bodies have advised the public to actively boycott landlords who maintain compromised structures and to immediately utilize designated emergency hotlines to report failing architecture.

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The Lagos State Government has announced plans to demolish all buildings identified as structurally distressed around the site of the collapsed three-storey building in Alakija, Satellite Town, as part of efforts to prevent future disasters.

The government also vowed to prosecute the owners of the collapsed structure and any other individuals found to have violated building regulations or obstructed enforcement actions.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, disclosed this on Friday while inspecting the site on behalf of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

According to him, the governor is deeply saddened by the incident and has extended condolences to the families of the victims.

Omotoso revealed that 27 people were rescued alive from the rubble, while nine others lost their lives during the rescue operation.

Emergency responders, including the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), the Police, the Command and Control Centre, and the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps, remained at the scene to complete recovery efforts.

“Governor Sanwo-Olu is saddened by this incident. He sends his condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones,” Omotoso said.

He disclosed that the collapsed building had previously been identified as structurally distressed and marked for demolition, with occupants directed to vacate the premises.

“This tragedy should not have happened. The building had been marked as distressed and occupants were asked to move out, but the directive was ignored. Livelihoods were unfortunately prioritised over lives,” he stated.

The commissioner announced that all other buildings already marked as unsafe within the vicinity would be demolished without delay to protect lives and property.

He further stated that the owners of the collapsed structure, as well as owners of other distressed buildings found culpable, would face prosecution under Lagos State laws.

“Anyone found to have violated building regulations or frustrated enforcement efforts will be prosecuted. Owners of the collapsed and other distressed buildings will be held accountable under the law,” he said.

Omotoso also condemned the construction of buildings beneath high-tension electricity lines, describing the practice as dangerous and unacceptable.

“You cannot build under high-tension power lines. It is dangerous and unacceptable in any civilised society. It shows a disregard for the law, and the government will not tolerate it,” he added.

He noted that investigations into the cause of the collapse were ongoing while survivors continued to receive medical treatment at various hospitals.

The commissioner advised residents occupying buildings around the affected area to relocate immediately and comply with safety directives issued by the authorities.

He also commended emergency responders for their professionalism and dedication throughout the rescue mission.

Similarly, the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, praised first responders and security agencies for their tireless efforts during the operation, which continued until the structure was completely brought down.

Also present during the inspection was the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Gbenga Oyerinde, who lauded the coordinated response of emergency agencies in managing the disaster.

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Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has condemned the recent demolition of buildings in Oworonshoki, Lagos, describing the action as a violation of the Constitution and a subsisting court order.

Speaking on Arise Television on Friday, Falana said the demolitions, which took place at midnight last Saturday, ignored a restraining order issued by the Lagos State High Court. He noted that the order had been duly served on relevant government agencies before the operation began.

“The court granted an order stopping further demolitions until the matter is heard. By Friday, certified copies were served, yet by Saturday night, bulldozers invaded Oworonshoki,” Falana said.

“When I contacted an official, he told me, ‘We are going to do it, and heaven will not fall.’ That shows total contempt for the rule of law.”

Falana cited Section 43 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees every Nigerian the right to own property anywhere in the country, as well as Article 14 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which upholds similar protections.

He argued that no governor or minister has the authority to order demolitions without a court ruling, stressing that only a competent court or legally constituted tribunal can authorise such actions.

“No executive officer can unilaterally declare a property illegal and demolish it. Due process must be followed,” he said.

The Lagos State Government, however, denied violating any court order. Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said the operation targeted illegal structures on drainage channels and road setbacks as part of the state’s urban renewal and flood prevention efforts.

Omotoso maintained that the exercise was aimed at restoring environmental integrity and that the government would not willfully disobey a valid court order.

The demolitions, which affected the Coker and Ojulari communities, occurred hours after the government had promised to compensate displaced residents.

Legal experts have since urged the state to balance its urban development initiatives with citizens’ constitutional rights to property and fair hearing.

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The Lagos State Government has denied claims that a property in Ikeja was demolished without legal approval. The response follows an allegation made by Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate. Obi claimed that a building owned by his younger brother was pulled down without any proper legal backing.

Gbenga Omotoso, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information, addressed the issue in a media chat. He stated that no demolition takes place in Lagos without following the law. “We follow the law in Lagos State. No building can be removed without due process,” he said. Omotoso added that he would speak with relevant agencies to confirm the details.

Peter Obi shared his account on social media. He said his brother’s company had owned the property for over 15 years. According to Obi, unknown individuals demolished the structure without presenting any court order. He described the situation as “coordinated lawlessness” and criticized what he called the breakdown of order in Nigeria.

Officials from two key agencies—Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABSCA) and the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA)—denied involvement. LABSCA’s spokesperson said the demolition did not come from their office. LASPPPA’s representative added that she was not aware of the incident and asked for any official documents that could identify the agency responsible.

Several government agencies in Lagos are authorized to enforce demolitions based on the type of violation. In this case, the responsible agency remains unclear. As of the time of reporting, no authority had taken responsibility, and the Commissioner was yet to follow up on his statement.

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