TRAGIC THURSDAY : Two killed as Lagos building collapses

TRAGIC THURSDAY : Two killed as Lagos building collapses

Two persons lost their lives yesterday when parts of a two-storey building under construction collapsed in Lagos.

Also yesterday, another tragedy was recorded in the Daleko area of Isolo in Lagos, as a commercial motorbike operator, known as okada, was crushed to death by a container-laden truck trying to negotiate a bend.

The collapsed building, located at NICON Town Estate, off Admiralty Way, Lekki, Lagos, reportedly caved in, trapping construction workers beneath the debris. Other workers at the site at the time of the incident also sustained injuries.

The two adult male victims, who were identified as Tasiu and Abdulahi, were reportedly working on the failed portion when the building collapsed. The reporter learnt that they were crushed to death by heavy slabs and newly mixed concrete.

According to the general manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Mr. Adesina Tiamiyu, the agency received a distress call at about 11.40am about a partial building collapse incident in Lekki, and officials of the agency moved quickly to the site.

On getting to the site, it was discovered that some of the workers were trapped underneath the debris of mangled metal, rods and earth. LASEMA quickly deployed its equipment, alongside that of other emergency responders, to rescue the victims.

“Sadly, two adult males were killed, while another named Yakub sustained some injuries and is being treated at an undisclosed hospital. The agency’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) has cordoned off the building for further investigation to be carried out by the appropriate authorities. Investigation conducted by the agency’s ERT at the scene of the incident revealed that the structure was under the process of having its roof beam and parapet cast when it collapsed,” he said.

The Daleko incident, the reporter learnt, occurred about 9.00am. The incident caused a gridlock that lasted for hours. According to an eyewitness, the accident occurred when the motorcyclist, who was speeding, tried to overtake the truck at a dangerous bend.

Daily Sun learnt that the passenger, who escaped death by the whiskers, was dragged by sympathisers from under the wheels of the truck with one of his legs mangled.

Also confirming the incident, Tiamiyu said a distress call was received at about 9.19am concerning the accident by Daleko Bridge inward Isolo.

The ERT was immediately dispatched to the scene, and, going by preliminary investigation conducted by the agency on getting to the accident scene, the biker was crushed under the wheels of the trailer while trying to make a turn.

According to the LASEMA boss: “The rider of the bike, identified as Biliaminu Olayiwola, lost his life to the incident and was recovered by the LASEMA team and handed over to the police. The driver of the trailer absconded immediately the accident took place but was later apprehended by police officers and taken to Olosan Police Station, Mushin, for further interrogation.

“The agency’s ERT, Lagos State Traffic Management Agency, the Lagos State Fire Service from Isolo Station, Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Commission and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps officials attached to LASAMBUS were the responders at the scene of the incident.”

Informed that the trailer was towed out of the road to a safe place by a LASTMA truck, to pave way for free flow of traffic that had built up. He also noted that the corpse was immediately moved to a mortuary while the injured victim was taken to hospital.

He advised motorists and motorcyclists to always ensure they adhere to safety rules while on the highway to avoid loss of life.