Gladness Gideon
A Lagos resident narrowly escaped being trapped under rubble after a two-storey building housing a popular restaurant collapsed early Saturday morning on Oremeta Street in the Ojodu Berger area of Lagos State.
The structure, which reportedly caved in around 8 a.m., was already beginning to fill with staff and early customers when it gave way. As emergency responders raced to the scene, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed that at least five individuals had been rescued. However, locals feared that more victims could still be trapped beneath the debris.
Chike, a resident of Ojodu, told our correspondent that he often patronised the restaurant but changed his routine on the day of the collapse—a decision he now believes may have saved his life.
“I live in Ojodu; this is the place I usually go to eat. Last night, I had planned to eat there, but something didn’t sit right with me, so I bought ingredients and cooked at home instead,” Chike explained.
“That decision meant I didn’t go back there this morning. I was about to head to Berger when I heard something had happened nearby. When I got to the scene, I saw people injured and heard some were still trapped inside.”
According to Chike, the restaurant is a well-frequented spot, particularly during football matches, often drawing large crowds of up to 70 or 100 people on a busy day.
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“It’s heartbreaking. We know people are inside; we’re just praying that they are still alive,” he said.
The cause of the collapse remains unclear, though eyewitnesses noted that the building appeared old and may have been undergoing some form of structural alteration.
Emergency responders faced challenges gaining access to the site due to a large crowd of residents and onlookers. Some agitated youths resisted police efforts to clear the area, hampering rescue operations as bulldozers struggled to move in.
Efforts to reach the Lagos State Police Command for official comments proved unsuccessful, as calls to the Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, went unanswered at the time of filing this report.
As rescue operations continue, concerns mount over the structural integrity of buildings in the area and the urgent need for stricter safety inspections and enforcement of urban planning regulations.