Building collapse deaths rise to 1,595 – Report
The Building Collapse Prevention Guild has reported that Nigeria recorded 1,595 deaths in 640 documented cases of building collapse between October 1974 and January 9, 2025.
According to the Guild, the first recorded building collapse in Nigeria occurred in October 1974 in Oyo State, where a multi-story building collapsed due to excessive loading, resulting in the deaths of 27 people.
The report stated, “Lagos State has the highest number of recorded building collapses in Nigeria, accounting for 55.15 percent of all incidents. Abuja follows with 4.37 percent, while Anambra records 4.06 percent, Oyo 3.44 percent, and Kano 3.28 percent. Some states, including Taraba, Bayelsa, Gombe, and Yobe, recorded their first building collapse in 2022. Meanwhile, states such as Zamfara, Taraba, Yobe, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Sokoto, Gombe, Katsina, and Kebbi have only recorded one building collapse each.
“Interestingly, there were no recorded building collapses in 1971, 1975, and 1981. However, in 2020, despite the COVID-19 lockdown, 45 building collapses were recorded, with Lagos accounting for 18 (40 percent) of them. The highest number of building collapses occurred in 2022, with 62 incidents nationwide, and Lagos contributing 20 (32 percent). In 2023, there were 52 recorded building collapses, with Lagos accounting for 17 (33 percent). In 2024, a total of 47 building collapses were documented across 14 states, with Lagos recording the highest number at 13.”
“The first recorded building collapse in Nigeria occurred in October 1974 in Oyo State, resulting in 27 deaths.
The tallest building collapse happened in Lagos on November 1, 2021, claiming 52 lives. As of January 2025, the first recorded building collapse of the year took place in Rivers State on January 4. These statistics are based on data from the Building Collapse Prevention Guild from 1974 to date.”
PUNCH Metro recently reported that two people were confirmed dead, while six others sustained varying degrees of injuries following a search and rescue operation at the site of a collapsed building in the Lekki area of Lagos State.
The building, which was under construction, reportedly collapsed on Tuesday evening, trapping several individuals believed to be workers at the site.
PUNCH Metro reported on Wednesday that an unidentified male adult lost his life, while three others were injured at the site of the collapsed two-story building.
The spokesperson for the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Shakiru Amodu, stated on Tuesday that a search and rescue operation was ongoing.
In a final update released on Wednesday by the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, a teenager was also recovered dead.
This brought the total number of deaths to two, while six people sustained injuries.
Oke-Osanyintolu stated that the bodies of the deceased victims were handed over to the health team for necessary action, while the injured persons received treatment from the LASEMA medical team.
He said, “A teenager, about 15 years old, and an adult male who were recovered, were confirmed dead and subsequently bagged by emergency responders and handed over to the SEHMU officials.”
“Also, six victims were rescued and attended to by the medical team.”
The Permanent Secretary disclosed that “the collapsed building has been completely demolished and reduced to ground level using the agency’s advanced heavy-duty equipment.”
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