At least eight people, including an infant girl, have been confirmed dead following the collapse of a three-storey shopping complex in the Alakija area along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.
The tragic incident occurred on Thursday, triggering a large-scale emergency response involving officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), security personnel, firefighters and other rescue agencies.
According to LASEMA, a total of 26 victims were successfully rescued from the debris, while search and rescue operations continued to ensure no one remained trapped beneath the rubble.
Emergency responders worked through the day using heavy equipment and manual recovery efforts to reach victims buried under the collapsed structure.
Authorities said the death toll may change as rescue teams continue to clear the site and assess the extent of the disaster.
The collapsed structure, reportedly a shopping complex, was occupied at the time of the incident, raising fears that more people could have been inside when the building gave way.
Witnesses described scenes of panic and confusion as residents, traders and passersby rushed to the scene shortly after the collapse occurred.
Some survivors were pulled out alive and transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment, while families gathered anxiously around the site seeking information about missing relatives and loved ones.
LASEMA officials commended emergency personnel for their swift response but emphasized the need for continued caution during rescue operations due to the unstable condition of the remaining debris.
The incident has once again raised concerns about building safety standards, structural integrity and regulatory compliance within Nigeria's commercial and residential construction sector.
Building collapses remain a recurring challenge in parts of the country, particularly in densely populated urban areas where concerns over construction quality, enforcement of building codes and unauthorized developments persist.
Authorities are expected to launch a full investigation to determine the cause of the collapse and establish whether negligence, structural defects or regulatory violations contributed to the disaster.
Residents and business owners in the area have also called for stricter monitoring of construction projects and more rigorous enforcement of safety regulations to prevent similar tragedies.
As rescue efforts continue, the focus remains on locating any remaining victims and providing support to affected families.
The latest tragedy adds to growing concerns over public safety and the urgent need to strengthen building control measures across Lagos and other major cities in Nigeria.