One person has died while two others were rescued after a two-storey building undergoing manual demolition collapsed in the Aboru area of Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday at No. 42 Governors Road, Aboru, according to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).

Following the incident, LASEMA’s Alpha Eagle Response Team was deployed from its Cappa, Oshodi Response Unit at 12:56 a.m. and arrived at the scene within the projected response time.

Two rescued from collapsed building

In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, the agency said preliminary investigations showed that the building was being manually demolished when it suddenly collapsed.

The agency said its coordinated search-and-rescue operation led to the recovery of two adult males who were trapped beneath the rubble.

The victims were rescued alive and given emergency first aid by personnel of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS).

They were subsequently transported to a nearby health facility for further medical treatment.

However, one adult male was later recovered dead from beneath the collapsed structure.

LASEMA, Fire Service continue rescue operation

LASEMA said the operation was being carried out jointly with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and LASAMBUS.

The affected area has been cordoned off to protect residents and provide emergency responders with unhindered access to the site.

Community leaders and security agencies are also working with the emergency management authorities to ensure the operation is concluded safely.

LASEMA warns against unsafe demolition

Oke-Osanyintolu reiterated the Lagos State Government’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.

He urged residents, property owners and developers to comply strictly with building regulations and ensure that demolition and construction activities are handled only by certified professionals.

The LASEMA Permanent Secretary also urged members of the public to report suspicious or unsafe building activities immediately.

Residents can contact the agency through the 767 or 112 toll-free emergency numbers.

Oke-Osanyintolu added that the Lagos State Government would continue investing in emergency response equipment, personnel training and the decentralisation of response units to achieve its target of a 10-minute emergency response time across the state.

The post Lagos Building Collapse During Demolition Kills One, Rescues Two appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Motorists travelling along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway were stranded for several hours on Tuesday as repair works on damaged expansion joints at Kara Bridge triggered a massive traffic gridlock.

The congestion stretched from the Kara Bridge area in Ogun State towards Lagos, creating difficulties for motorists heading in both directions.

Correspondents monitoring the situation observed that the traffic began building up in the afternoon and had extended beyond Secretariat Bus Stop by 3:30pm.

Motorists approaching the Otedola underpass from Ikeja and Agege were also caught in the congestion, with the traffic stretching towards Otunba Jobi Fele Way.

Security, traffic officials deployed

A heavy presence of security and traffic management personnel was observed along the affected corridor.

Those deployed included personnel of the police and military, officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps.

The officials were seen managing traffic by alternating vehicles travelling towards Kara from Isheri and Ojodu with motorists coming from the expressway in an effort to prevent a complete lockdown of the corridor.

Repair works at the entry and exit points of the bridge towards OPIC also contributed to the congestion around Kara.

Motorists lament hours-long traffic

A motorist, Tunji Kazeem, described the situation as unbearable, saying there was no viable alternative route for motorists heading towards Mowe.

According to him, he left Oshodi at about 1pm but became stuck in traffic around the 7Up area.

Another motorist, Jelili, lamented what he described as recurring gridlock on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and called for a lasting solution.

He said motorists were regularly forced to endure severe congestion caused by road repairs, accidents and other activities along the highway.

Motorists demand permanent solution

Another motorist, Kunle Bankole, appealed to the relevant authorities to find a permanent solution to the recurring traffic problems along the expressway.

He said the situation had become particularly difficult for commuters who depend on the major highway for daily movement between Lagos and Ogun states.

The latest gridlock has renewed concerns over traffic management along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, one of the major transport corridors connecting Lagos with other parts of southwestern Nigeria.

The post Kara Bridge Repairs Trigger Massive Gridlock on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

A Lagos State High Court sitting in Yaba has restrained the Lagos State Government and four other defendants from taking possession of or interfering with a disputed property belonging to an 80-year-old widow in Lekki Peninsula Scheme I, pending the determination of a motion on notice.

Justice E.O. Ashade granted the interim injunction in favour of Chief H.A.K. Shonowo, who instituted the suit on behalf of herself and the estate of her late husband, Chief Owodiran Olusoga Shonowo.

The defendants in the case are the Lagos State Government, the Attorney-General of Lagos State, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Gary Sanusi and Dillon Consultants Nigeria Limited.

The claimant, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Babatunde Oni, urged the court to preserve the property, arguing that the defendants’ actions had caused her hardship and threatened her ownership rights.

The disputed property comprises 11 four-bedroom terrace houses, three three-bedroom flats, one two-bedroom flat and a commercial shop built on about 4,000/4,300 square metres of land located at Block 113, Plot Health Centre, Lekki Peninsula Scheme I, Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.

In his ruling, Justice Ashade held that the claimant had established sufficient grounds for the grant of the interim order.

The court noted that parties involved in a pending case must refrain from taking actions capable of affecting the court’s jurisdiction or prejudicing the outcome of the matter.

Consequently, the judge restrained the defendants, their agents, representatives or privies from taking possession of, transferring, reassigning or interfering with the claimant’s possession and ownership rights over the property pending the hearing of the motion on notice.

The court also barred the fourth and fifth defendants from handing over the disputed property to any other person until the application before the court is determined.

As part of the conditions attached to the injunction, the court directed the claimant to file an undertaking in the sum of N1 million to indemnify the defendants should it later be established that the interim order ought not to have been granted.

Court documents revealed that the claimant and her late husband were jointly allocated the original parcel of land measuring about 7,312.865 square metres in 1996 under a Certificate of Occupancy issued by the Lagos State Government.

According to the claimant, the government revoked the Certificate of Occupancy in October 2020 but later reallocated about 4,000 square metres of the land to her in May 2021 following an appeal. A subsequent survey reportedly placed the land size at approximately 4,300 square metres.

She stated that she thereafter entered into a joint venture agreement with the fourth and fifth defendants to develop the property.

Under the agreement, the developers were expected to construct 22 four-bedroom terrace houses, six three-bedroom flats and two two-bedroom flats, with the claimant entitled to 11 terrace houses, three flats, one two-bedroom apartment and a commercial shop.

The widow alleged that although construction commenced in 2021 and her allocated units were expected to be delivered by August 2023, the developers repeatedly failed to hand over the completed properties despite several demands.

She further claimed that in March 2026 she was informed through WhatsApp that the Lagos State Government intended to take over the reallocated land.

The claimant insisted she had no contractual relationship with the Lagos State Government, the Attorney-General or the Governor, maintaining that her agreement was solely with the private developers.

Justice Ashade adjourned the case until July 9, 2026, for the hearing of the motion on notice.

The post Court Stops Lagos Govt From Taking Over 80-Year-Old Widow’s Lekki Property appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Recurring floods across Lagos have once again raised concerns over the city’s ability to cope with heavy rainfall, with experts blaming a combination of rapid urbanisation, poor planning, disappearing wetlands and inadequate flood-control infrastructure for the persistent problem.

Recent downpours left several communities, including Kunsela Road in Ikate, Gbagada, Ologolo, Ajiran, Ikorodu Road and Shogunle in Oshodi, submerged, disrupting businesses, damaging property and forcing residents to wade through floodwaters.

For many Lagosians, seasonal flooding has become a familiar reality. However, the latest incidents have reignited debate over why the commercial capital continues to experience severe flooding despite ongoing drainage projects and government interventions.

Urban planning expert, Tpl. Niyi Aderohunmu, said decades of replacing wetlands and mangrove forests with residential and commercial developments have significantly reduced Lagos’ natural ability to absorb rainwater.

According to him, wetlands once acted as natural reservoirs that stored excess rainfall and released it gradually, but large-scale development has replaced these areas with concrete surfaces that generate faster runoff.

He explained that the destruction of natural drainage channels, especially along the Lekki corridor, has made many low-lying communities increasingly vulnerable whenever heavy rainfall coincides with high tides.

Geographer Abeeb Babajide Ajagbe also described wetlands and mangroves as the city’s “natural flood infrastructure,” warning that continuous development in environmentally sensitive areas has worsened flooding.

He argued that the problem extends beyond environmental degradation, pointing to planning failures, weak enforcement and approvals granted for developments in flood-prone locations.

Environmental resource management expert Gbenga Oloniniran shared similar concerns, saying unregulated urban expansion has removed natural barriers that previously reduced the impact of flooding.

According to him, low-lying communities now experience faster surface runoff because many natural flood buffers have disappeared.

Independent researcher Tonami Playman, however, believes Lagos’ flooding cannot be blamed solely on climate change or environmental loss.

He argued that the city’s greatest challenge is the absence of large-scale flood-control infrastructure capable of storing excess stormwater during periods of intense rainfall.

Playman noted that while drainage systems are important, cities such as Tokyo, Chicago and Kuala Lumpur have significantly reduced flood risks through massive investments in underground reservoirs, storage tunnels and flood-control facilities.

He maintained that Lagos requires similar long-term infrastructure rather than relying almost entirely on drainage expansion.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government attributed the recurring flooding to a combination of coastal geography, climate change, rapid urbanisation and the destruction of wetlands.

Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, explained that nearly one-third of Lagos consists of lagoons, rivers, streams and swamps, making flooding difficult to eliminate completely.

He said the city naturally drains stormwater into these water bodies, but rapid development over the years has reduced the capacity of wetlands to absorb excess rainfall.

The commissioner also blamed illegal land reclamation in areas such as Ajiran, Agungi, Ikota and the Chevron corridor for obstructing natural drainage channels and worsening floods in surrounding communities.

According to Wahab, another challenge is “tidal locking,” a situation where heavy rainfall coincides with high sea levels, preventing floodwater from flowing into the Atlantic Ocean and lagoons until the tides recede.

He said the state government has intensified desilting of drainage channels, expanded flood-control infrastructure and issued flood advisories ahead of the peak rainy season to reduce the impact of flooding.

Experts, however, insist that drainage projects alone will not solve the problem.

They recommended stricter enforcement of building regulations, restoration and protection of wetlands, investment in modern flood-control infrastructure, adoption of nature-based solutions such as permeable pavements and green spaces, as well as stronger urban planning policies.

The Lagos State Government recently began demolishing structures obstructing drainage channels in Agungi, Ajiran and Ikota as part of efforts to restore waterways and reduce flooding.

The government has also unveiled plans to develop a blue-green drainage network involving canals, estate lakes and pumping stations aimed at improving flood management across the state.

Despite these measures, experts believe Lagos will continue to experience recurring floods unless long-term investments are made to strengthen both natural and engineered flood-control systems.

The post Why Lagos Keeps Flooding: Experts Explain Causes and Solutions appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

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.

The post Lagos Building Collapse Survivor Reveals Warning Signs Ignored Before Tragedy appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

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.

The post Lagos to Demolish Distressed Buildings After Alakija Collapse, Prosecute Owners appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Polaris Bank debunks reports of 34 deaths in Lagos branch fire, describing the claims as false and misleading.

The bank issued a statement addressing reports circulating on social media and other platforms that alleged dozens of people lost their lives during a fire outbreak at one of its Lagos locations.

According to Polaris Bank, the information being shared does not reflect the actual events surrounding the incident. The institution maintained that no deaths were recorded and that reports suggesting otherwise were inaccurate.

The bank explained that emergency response teams acted promptly to contain the situation and prevent further damage. It added that relevant authorities and safety agencies responded to the incident in line with established emergency procedures.

Polaris Bank emphasized that the safety and wellbeing of its employees, customers, and visitors remain a top priority. The institution noted that measures were taken immediately after the incident to ensure the area was secured and properly assessed.

The bank also urged members of the public to rely on verified information from official sources and avoid spreading unconfirmed reports that could create unnecessary panic.

Management reiterated its commitment to transparency and responsible communication, assuring customers that operations and services remain focused on maintaining safety standards across its branch network.

The clarification comes amid growing concerns about the spread of misinformation online, particularly during emergency situations where inaccurate reports can quickly gain attention and cause confusion.

Polaris Bank stated that it will continue to cooperate with relevant authorities regarding any investigations or assessments linked to the fire incident while ensuring customers remain informed through official communication channels.

The post Polaris Bank Debunks Reports of 34 Deaths in Lagos Branch Fire appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Fire guts building on Lagos Island, triggering a swift response from emergency agencies as firefighters worked to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to surrounding properties.

The incident occurred on Lagos Island, where thick smoke was seen rising from the affected structure, attracting the attention of residents and business owners in the area.

Emergency responders were deployed to the scene shortly after reports of the outbreak emerged. Firefighters immediately commenced operations aimed at bringing the situation under control and reducing potential damage to nearby buildings.

Officials said efforts were focused on containing the fire while ensuring the safety of residents, workers, and other individuals within the vicinity of the affected property.

Witnesses reported heightened activity around the location as emergency personnel coordinated response measures and restricted movement in parts of the area to support firefighting operations.

Although the cause of the incident had not been officially confirmed at the time of reporting, authorities indicated that investigations would be conducted once the situation was fully contained.

The Lagos State Fire Service and other emergency management agencies continued monitoring developments while assessing the extent of structural damage caused by the fire.

Incidents involving commercial and residential buildings in densely populated urban centres often raise concerns about fire safety compliance, emergency preparedness, and rapid response capabilities.

Authorities urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with emergency officials while efforts to secure the area continued.

Further details regarding casualties, property losses, and the cause of the fire are expected to be released after a comprehensive assessment by relevant agencies.

The post Fire Guts Building on Lagos Island appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Residents of Festac Town in the Amuwo-Odofin area of Lagos State have raised concerns over the alleged sale of critical public infrastructure, warning that the development could pose serious environmental, health and security risks within the estate.

The residents, under the umbrella of the Take Back Festac Movement, staged a peaceful protest on Saturday, accusing the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) of disposing of facilities originally designated for public use, including sewage treatment plants, waterworks, parks and buffer zones.

Speaking during the protest, the group’s president, Valentine Uduebo, described the alleged transactions as a threat to the future of the estate and called on President Bola Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene.

According to him, several sewage treatment facilities located across different parts of Festac Town had allegedly been sold to private interests.

“This facility behind us is a sewage management facility that serves residents in this area, yet it has been sold. The new owners intend to build food-related businesses on land meant for sewage management,” he alleged.

Uduebo also claimed that the estate’s Waterworks facility on 22 Road, as well as parks and recreational spaces, had been sold, warning that the loss of such infrastructure could negatively affect residents’ quality of life.

He further accused authorities of imposing multiple charges on property owners, alleging that residents are subjected to duplicate fees from both Lagos State agencies and the FHA.

“People pay building approval fees to Lagos State and are still required to make additional payments to the FHA. Residents see this as double taxation and extortion,” he said.

Health and Environmental Concerns

A medical practitioner and resident, Dr. Dumebi Owa, warned that converting sewage treatment facilities to other uses could create serious public health challenges.

“Sewage is meant to be properly managed and disposed of. If it is not properly handled, we risk outbreaks of diseases and serious public health challenges,” she said.

She also expressed concern over the alleged sale of parks and green spaces, noting that such developments could worsen environmental degradation and climate-related impacts.

Residents Demand Reversal of Sales

Another resident, James Ibekwe, who said he has lived in Festac Town since 1977, described the alleged transactions as a violation of the estate’s original master plan.

“We want the relevant authorities to act responsibly and revoke these sales. These sales are illegal, unconstitutional, null and void,” he said.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) in Amuwo-Odofin, Monsuru Salam, alleged that a security post on 51 Road serving multiple security zones had also been sold, raising concerns about security within the community.

FHA Dismisses Allegations

Reacting to the protest, FHA spokesperson Kenneth Chigelu dismissed the allegations and questioned why the protesters had not formally engaged the authority before going public.

“It has become a norm for people to wake up and start protests simply for publicity. Have they taken the time to come to the authority and channel their complaints?” he said.

Chigelu maintained that many of the issues raised predated the current administration and argued that some of the facilities cited by protesters had long ceased functioning.

“As for the sewage treatment facilities, the central system collapsed a long time ago. Have they shown you functioning treatment plants?” he queried.

He advised aggrieved residents to channel their complaints through recognised structures, including the Festac Town Residents Association, which he identified as the FHA’s official partner for community engagement.

The post Festac Residents Protest Alleged Sale of Sewage Plants, Parks, Other Public Assets appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Lagos State Government has arrested four suspects during a late-night cleanup operation under the Falomo Bridge in Ikoyi, as part of efforts to curb illegal activities in the area.

The operation was carried out by the Lagos State Environmental Taskforce following reports that street traders had returned to the location after an earlier clearance.

Follow-Up Operation Targets Illegal Trading

According to the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the enforcement team revisited the site around 10 p.m. on Tuesday.

He explained that the action became necessary after authorities received intelligence that traders had resumed activities at the under-bridge area, which had been cleared on March 30, 2026.

During the operation, officials dislodged traders and restored order in the vicinity.

Suspects to Face Prosecution

Wahab confirmed that four suspects were arrested during the exercise and would be charged in court.

He stressed that the government remains committed to enforcing environmental laws and preventing illegal occupation of public spaces.

Government Intensifies Monitoring

Authorities also revealed plans to intensify surveillance at Falomo Bridge and other parts of Lagos to prevent a recurrence.

The move is part of broader efforts to maintain sanitation, improve urban order, and enhance safety across the state.

Officials reiterated that enforcement operations will continue as part of the government’s environmental and public safety strategy.

The post Lagos Arrests Four Suspects During Cleanup Operation Under Falomo Bridge appeared first on Housing TV Africa.