In a dramatic turn of events on Monday, students and staff of a school in the Ogba area of Lagos narrowly escaped death when a four-storey building housing the institution collapsed minutes after they were evacuated.
The building, located at 11 Adudatu Street, behind County Hospital in Aguda, Ogba, reportedly caved in around noon, less than three minutes after all students and teachers were safely moved out of the premises.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with dust and debris filling the air immediately after the structure gave way. No casualties have been reported so far, thanks to the timely evacuation.
Lagos State has in recent years witnessed multiple incidents of building collapses, raising concerns about construction standards and regulatory enforcement.
The cause of the latest collapse is yet to be determined, and authorities are expected to commence an investigation to ascertain the factors that led to the disaster.
Residents and passersby who rushed to the scene expressed shock and relief at the narrow escape of the school occupants. Experts continue to warn that urgent measures are needed to prevent similar incidents, emphasizing the importance of building inspections and adherence to approved architectural and engineering standards.