A two-storey building under construction collapsed around 1 pm on Monday in the Shomolu area of Lagos State. The incident occurred at Number 3 Craig Street, off Apata Road, and caused panic among nearby residents. Thankfully, no deaths or injuries were reported.
Eyewitnesses said the collapse happened suddenly while workers were on-site and church members nearby were in a worship session. Some people shouted for help while others ran for safety as debris came crashing down.
Construction workers and members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Liberty Parish narrowly escaped harm as the building’s pillars fell on the church’s structure. Though the church was partially affected, no one was trapped or injured.
Dr Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), confirmed the incident. He said the collapse occurred during the decking phase of the construction. “Preliminary investigations revealed that no one was trapped in the rubble,” he stated.
LASEMA and other emergency responders arrived at the scene to assess the damage and ensure the area was secured.
Officials Begin Probe as Site Sealed Off
According to Dr Oke-Osanyintolu, officials have sealed off the construction yard to prevent further activity and ensure public safety. He explained that “the construction yard has been cordoned off immediately.”
Investigators are now looking into whether the building met structural standards and if the contractors followed approved safety procedures.
Building collapses remain a serious issue in many parts of Nigeria due to weak enforcement of building codes, use of substandard materials, and construction errors.
This incident is the second reported case of a collapsed structure involving a church in Nigeria since the weekend.
In Taraba State, another church—belonging to the United Methodist Church of Nigeria—also collapsed during a service, injuring several worshippers. That incident has raised further concerns about the safety of both completed and ongoing religious construction projects.
Authorities say the structural integrity of the RCCG Liberty Parish will also be examined to ensure it remains safe for continued use. LASEMA is expected to submit a full report in the coming days, including any recommendations to prevent future collapses.
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