*’My boss packed out saying the building will collapse’

By Florencemary Nwabueze

Eyewitnesses and survivors are recounting the horror at the site of the three-storey mall that collapsed at Oluti Bus Stop, along Old Ojo Road, opposite Eternal Oil Filling Station in Lagos. One said he can hear one victim making noises from inside the rubble.

Meanwhile, 15 persons have been rescued, and one confirmed dead, after the building collapsed on Thursday morning at Alakija in Ori-Ade Local Council Development Area of Lagos State.

According to a police officer at the scene, who spoke on condition of anonymity, about 15 people —including children and infants — have been rescued so far.

However, several others remain trapped beneath the rubble as emergency responders work tirelessly to reach them.

The Police, Fire and Rescue Service, military, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), LASEMA, LNSC, and other response teams are currently at the scene, with rescue operations ongoing.

I can here someone making noises from inside – Eyewitness

Musa, an eyewitness who was passing by on his motorcycle, described the terrifying moment: “I was going to Mile 2 when I suddenly heard noise behind me.

“I drove to the front quickly and then turned back. Then saw that the mall had collapsed.”

Another eyewitness said: “I was just arriving the shop, just outside. Not up to five minutes after, I heard a loud noise with smoke everywhere.

“I was carrying my child, not knowing which direction to run to as I escaped.”

Another witness pointed to the rubble, saying: “Look, there is somebody’s hand showing from that side.

“There is another person making a noise from under the building. A lot of people are still alive inside there.”

A resident, who pleaded anonymity, revealed that warnings about the building’s condition had been issued years ago: “My boss owns a cyber cafe inside the mall. Two years ago, he packed saying the building was giving signs that it would collapse.”

‘Building old’

Multiple witnesses confirmed that the building was old and had developed cracks as recently as Tuesday.

Several residents also claimed that the Lagos State Government had previously marked the building with a red warning for evacuation.

One grieving eyewitness stated: “My friend is dead inside there. He was about running out when a block hit him. There are casualties.”

Amid the devastation, there was a moment of relief when a boy was rescued alive from the rubble, prompting jubilation from the crowd gathered at the scene.

Many relatives of those still trapped are at the site, praying and pleading for intervention as rescue efforts continue.

All rescued victims and casualties has been taken to Navy Town Hospital Alakija.

Vanguard News

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