A tragic building collapse in the Ojodu-Berger area of Lagos State has claimed the lives of five people, with rescue operations ongoing to search for any remaining individuals trapped beneath the rubble. The three-storey structure, which housed the popular Equal Right Restaurant, collapsed on Saturday morning, prompting a swift response from emergency services.

Initial reports on Saturday indicated two fatalities, but a Sunday morning update from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the recovery of four additional bodies, bringing the total death toll to five. According to LASEMA's Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the deceased have been taken to the morgue. Thirteen individuals have been rescued alive from the debris and are currently receiving medical care.

Emergency response teams, including personnel from NEMA, LASEMA, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and the Nigeria Police Force, were mobilized to the scene following a distress call received at 8:32 a.m. Rescue efforts have been intensive and continuous, employing both heavy and light-duty equipment to carefully navigate through the collapsed structure.

While the immediate cause of the collapse is still under investigation, residents have expressed concerns about the building's structural integrity. One anonymous resident described the building as "a ticking time bomb," highlighting long-standing worries about its safety. LASEMA has suggested that unapproved structural modifications may have contributed to the incident, noting that the old building had been converted into an eatery with additional construction work carried out prior to the collapse.

Mr. Oke-Osanyintolu emphasized the methodical approach of the rescue teams, stating, "We are proceeding methodically, using both heavy and light-duty equipment to get to ground zero. We have credible information that more people may still be under the rubble, so our search is ongoing, layer by layer."

The site has been cordoned off by NEMA and LASEMA, and a formal investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the collapse. Mr. Oke-Osanyintolu issued a stern warning against tampering with ageing structures, urging property owners to seek proper approvals before making alterations to existing buildings.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to building regulations and ensuring the structural integrity of buildings to prevent future tragedies. The ongoing rescue efforts reflect the commitment of emergency services to locate and assist anyone who may still be trapped beneath the rubble.