From Our Correspondent
It was another round of tragedy in the Yaba area of Lagos as a three-storey building currently under construction collapsed trapping four people including the security guard and killing three others. The building located on Akanbi Crescent in Yaba occurred around 3: 30pm.
Eyewitnesses who spoke to media said the use of inferior building materials is likely responsible for the collapse.
InfactNG also gathered that the developer of the building has been arrested by the Lagos state government.
A survivor, identified only as Sunday said the building had shown serious signs of distress and which had been reported to his boss but who allegedly told the workers to ignore the signs and continue working.
He said: “Even today (Saturday), as we were working, the building was shaking, but our oga (boss) said we should continue (working). We even agreed that after today, we would not come back here again to work. I thank God for saving me from this mess, but my phone is still inside.”
Another eyewitness also confirmed that the building collapsed when he was about to enter the compound and that five people were still trapped inside.
He said: “I went to buy food for someone that was inside. When I came back and wanted to go in, the building suddenly collapsed. Other people are inside there. They are up to four or five. I thank God for my life.”
An eyewitness present, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said a part of the building had collapsed sometime last year.
He said, “This was similar to what happened last year when they started erecting the building. A section of the building caved in and destroyed some cars parked by the fence.
“The Lagos State Government was invited and they came, but I don’t know whether they told them to stop work or not. After a few weeks, work continued and nothing has been done by the authorities since then until today (Saturday) when the building just crumbled on the workers.”
Another eyewitness, who identified himself only as Samuel, said the incident happened so fast.
He stated, “I was upstairs so I could see as the building crumbled. Before then, I could hear some chatter from the building; probably by the workers. I am sure they are still under there. I just pray they are not dead by now because no substantial effort has been made to rescue them.”
