By Ameh Gabriel
The Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG), Yaba Cell, has expressed deep concern following the tragic collapse of a four-storey building under construction at 335 Borno Way, Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos, on Friday, September 12, 2025.
This was contained in a statement Signed by Engr. Bayo Ogunrinde – Coordinator, BCPG Yaba Cell
Bldr. Funmi Olaitan – General Secretary, BCPG Yaba Cell
According to the statement, the incident, which occurred around 7 p.m., led to four deaths and several injuries. Rescue operations, coordinated by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Lagos State Ambulance Service, and the Police, lasted four days and saved 10 lives.
In a dramatic twist, two workers, including one identified as Anuoluwa, were miraculously rescued alive after being trapped for nearly 65 hours under the rubble. Sadly, four lives were lost, with one grieving mother collapsing upon confirmation of her son’s death.
BCPG Yaba Cell commended the tireless rescue efforts of emergency responders but emphasized the urgent need for modern equipment and technology to speed up rescue operations and preserve vital forensic evidence for investigations.
The Guild drew parallels between this collapse and a similar tragedy on February 12, 2022, at Akanbi Street, Onike, Yaba, which also involved a four-storey building under construction. Both cases highlight recurring issues such as disregard for building regulations, missing project boards, and inadequate monitoring.
The developer of the latest incident, Mr. Tajudeen (popularly known as Aljemin), was inside the collapsed structure but survived and is currently under police protection in the hospital. BCPG stressed that this should serve as a moral lesson to errant developers: “Compromise on safety and regulations can be fatal, even for developers themselves.”
The Guild also noted that preliminary findings point to weak structural setbacks and possible foundation issues linked to adjoining construction at 337A Borno Way, which was already under a LASBCA stop-work order for regulatory violations.
BCPG Yaba Cell called for:
Forensic investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the collapse.
Stricter enforcement of stage certification by qualified professionals.
Stakeholder meetings involving government agencies, developers, professional bodies, and property owners to safeguard Yaba’s structural integrity.
The Guild expressed condolences to the bereaved families and to HRM Oba Owolabi Adeyemi Adeniyi, the Onisabe of Igbobi-Sabe, who has remained committed to preserving Yaba as a well-planned community since the colonial era.
“Yaba has historically been home to elites, professionals, and law-abiding citizens. However, the unchecked activities of uncertified developers threaten this legacy. Only developers with proven competence, adequate resources, and qualified consultants should be entrusted with regeneration projects,” the statement added.
The Guild urged Hon. Bayo Adefuye, Chairman of Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), to convene a stakeholders’ meeting with property inheritors and families of original landowners to prevent further handovers of solidly built heritage homes to unqualified developers.
Enquiries: bcpg2011@gmail.com
