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The Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG) has urged government agencies and stakeholders to adopt advanced equipment and modern technology to improve rescue operations during building collapse incidents in Nigeria.
The call followed the recent collapse of a four-storey building under construction at 335 Borno Way, Yaba, Lagos State, on Friday, September 12, 2025, around 7 pm. The collapse, which came as a shock to residents and professionals in the area, claimed four lives and left several others injured.
In a statement, the Coordinator of the BCPG Yaba Cell, Mr. Bayo Ogunrinde, described the incident as painful and regrettable, especially given Yaba’s reputation as one of Lagos’ planned communities. He noted that rescue efforts, which lasted four days from Friday night to Monday, helped save 10 people, but sadly four bodies were recovered from the debris.
Among the victims were two construction workers who were found dead on Sunday, dashing the hopes of their families who had been receiving phone calls from the trapped men before they died. Ogunrinde recalled how a mother fainted while waiting to see the remains of her son, one of the dead workers.
In a dramatic twist, two survivors, including a young man identified as Anuoluwa, were pulled out alive from a soakaway under the rubble about 65 hours after being trapped. Their survival was described as nothing short of miraculous, as the mood at the scene shifted from sorrow to joy.
Ogunrinde commended the efforts of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Lagos State Ambulance Service, and the police. According to him, the rescue teams worked tirelessly, often without sleep, to save lives. However, he stressed that reliance on basic tools such as excavators, cutting machines, shovels, and diggers prolonged the rescue operation.
“The need to introduce sophisticated equipment in rescue operations cannot be overemphasised,” he said. “Advanced technology will not only save more lives quickly but also preserve physical evidence needed for investigations into the causes of building collapse.”
Drawing a comparison, he recalled a similar collapse at 16 Akanbi Street, Onike, Yaba, on February 12, 2022. That building, also a four-storey structure under construction, collapsed at the finishing stage, killing four construction workers. Like the recent Borno Way incident, it happened before occupation, preventing larger casualties.
He noted that in both incidents, the compulsory project boards displaying details of the developers and engineers were missing. In the 2022 case, the developer, Mr. Gboyega Bello, was arrested but later released without a proper investigation. Ogunrinde urged authorities to ensure that thorough investigations are conducted this time around.
In the latest collapse, the developer identified as Tajudeen, popularly known as Aljemin, was inside the building when it caved in. He was rescued alive and is currently in hospital under police protection. Ogunrinde compared his survival to the tragic death of Femi Osibona, developer of the 21-storey building that collapsed on Gerard Road, Ikoyi, in 2021.
The BCPG coordinator stressed that the lesson for developers is clear: cutting corners and ignoring regulations can have fatal consequences. He added that the sideways fall of the collapsed building, which damaged a neighbouring five-storey structure at 333 Borno Way, highlighted the importance of setbacks between buildings. He urged residents to alert LASBCA when construction standards are being compromised, noting that whistleblowing could save lives.
The damaged neighbouring building, now shored up with temporary supports, awaits non-destructive testing to determine its stability. Ogunrinde advised that permanent reinforcement should be done quickly to prevent further disaster.
He also called for strict enforcement of stage certification, a process where registered construction professionals certify different phases of a building project. According to him, such oversight could help detect defects before a building reaches completion.
“An official forensic investigation is expected to establish the cause of the Borno Way collapse. Lessons must be learned to prevent a repeat,” he said.
Ogunrinde extended condolences on behalf of BCPG to the bereaved families and the Onisabe of Igbobi-Sabe, Oba Owolabi Adeniyi, describing him as a monarch committed to preserving Yaba’s heritage as a planned and orderly community.
He noted that building collapse was previously rare in Yaba, but the rush by developers to replace old structures with multi-storey buildings without adequate expertise has worsened the problem. He recommended that only certified and financially capable developers should be allowed to undertake redevelopment projects in Yaba and other parts of Lagos.
“Urban regeneration is vital for development, but it must not come at the cost of human lives,” he concluded.
