PUNCH Metro learnt that the building collapsed around 6am as work was about to commence for the day.
Eyewitnesses said some construction workers were already in the building before it collapsed, adding that no fewer than three persons were trapped.
Two workers, Kojo Kade and Idowu Sunday, who managed to escape from the building, were said to have sustained some injuries.
While 20-year-old Sunday reportedly jumped down from the second floor and broke his leg, Kade, a Togolese, was said to have broken his spinal cord and referred to the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi.
An eyewitness, Emeka Samson, claimed that aside the two survivors, there were more workers trapped in the rubble.
He said, “It was around some minutes to 7am. We just heard a loud noise and as we rushed here, we discovered the building had collapsed.
“We mobilised other youths in the community and rescued Sunday and Kade. We were about searching for more victims when the police showed up and ordered that we should leave the place.
“There were five of them there. We only rescued two; three more are still trapped.”
PUNCH Metro observed that the collapsed structure was in the midst of two other similar buildings.
It was gathered that the structure was erected within a short time.
A sand supplier to the building, Waliu Ajisebi, said it was raised to roofing level in four months.
He said, “I supply sharp sand and granite to the building. The house foundation was laid about four months ago. They were to commence the parapet this morning when it collapsed.
“But if it had fallen in the day time when so many workers would be working on it, the casualties would have been many because about 25 workers can be here at a time.”
Our correspondent observed that two caterpillars were searching through the debris for survivors.
Officials of the Lagos State Fire Service, Lagos State Building Control Agency, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Lagos State Emergency Ambulance Service, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Federal Fire Service, were sighted by our correspondent.
The General Manager of the state fire service, Rasak Fadipe, said the agency received a distress call around 7.46am, adding that the Lekki Phase 2 Fire Station was deployed to the scene.
He said, “We got here around 8am. We engaged the community youths and the police in a search-and-rescue operation which led to the rescue of two persons. The injury of one was very critical and he has been rushed to a private hospital. The second man, who jumped from the second floor, was treated by LASAMBUS and has been released.”
Fadipe warned people against sleeping in buildings under construction.
The General Manager of LASBCA, Sola Adeigbe, explained that the owner of the building had no approval.
“We have even marked the building and asked the owner to show up with his permit, but he did not. We were told that he employed people who worked at night so that we will not catch them,” he said.
He said the other buildings had been sealed off and work might not continue on them until after they had passed integrity tests.
The General Manager of LASEMA, Michael Akindele, said rescue operation was ongoing as the agency got the report that there were still people trapped in the rubble.
He said, “It is alleged that six workers were trapped as of the time of the incident. Rescue operation is in progress. So far, two male adults have been rescued. One is in a private hospital.”
Our correspondent visited the private hospital on Osapa-London where Kade was rushed to.
A worker at the hospital said his injuries were serious, hence his referral to Igbobi.
She said, “His injuries were serious and his condition critical. He had a fracture at his back and we had to refer him to Igbobi. But I am not sure he was taken there.”
PUNCH
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