The Lagos State Building Control Agency has urged residents living near the three-storey building that collapsed on Adu Street, Aguda, in the Ogba area of Lagos to temporarily relocate while safety assessments are carried out.
The agency made the appeal Tuesday in a statement by its Director of Public Affairs, Adu Ademuyiwa, who said the precautionary measure was necessary to determine the structural integrity of nearby buildings.
Several students were hospitalized Monday after sustaining injuries during evacuation from the collapsed building, which housed Yemco Daycare Nursery, Primary and Comprehensive College.
The structure caved in at about 11 a.m., according to witnesses.
Residents said pupils were participating in school activities when people in the neighborhood noticed a sudden crack in the building’s wall and raised the alarm.
Ademuyiwa said no casualties were recorded because students, staff and other occupants had evacuated the building before it collapsed.
“The building, which accommodated both residential occupants and a private school, collapsed Monday, causing concern within the neighborhood,” he said.
“As a precautionary measure, occupants of nearby buildings have been advised to vacate their premises temporarily while safety assessments are conducted on surrounding structures to determine their condition and structural stability.”
Ademuyiwa said investigations into the cause of the collapse were ongoing.
“Preliminary observations indicate that some form of building activity had been ongoing at the property before the incident. However, a comprehensive investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the collapse,” he said.
The agency urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with authorities as technical assessments and safety procedures continue at the site.
LASBCA also reiterated the need for property owners and developers to follow regulatory procedures and maintain communication with building control authorities when carrying out construction, renovation or structural modification works.
