Tragedy struck in Lagos community as a woman identified as Mrs. Jumiah Utache and her children Faith, 9, Domino, 2 and one-year-old Daniel were killed on Saturday after a hilltop building collapsed on their house in Magodo.
The tragic incident happened during a heavy downpour at 48 Orisa Street, Magodo Phase One, Isheri Waterfront.
WITHIN NIGERIA learnt that a building collapsed from a top hill on Otun Araromi Street, fell on the family’s residence and crushed the woman and her children who were sleeping.
The woman’s husband identified as Emmanuel Utache sustained injuries owing the incident.
According to Nation reports, “collapse of hilltop structures into nearby buildings during rainy season has become an annual ritual in Isheri, which usually leads to loss of lives and properties.
However, another building collapsed at Rademo Street behind recreation centre, Ita Elewa, Ikorodu. The building, said to be an old storey-building built with mud bricks, had visible cracks and could not withstand the heavy rains.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the incidents and disclosed that there was no causalty.
He said the agency had recommended full implementation of the existing law on collapsed building in the state which included seizure of the affected property.
Confirming the incidents, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Dr. Femi Oke-Osayintolu said there was no casualty in the Ikorodu incident.
He said the agency had recommended full implementation of the existing law on collapsed building in the state which included seizure of the affected property.
“The law does not only stipulate removal of debris after rescue but includes seizure of such property for constituting risk to other residents within the immediate environment and those close to the building as at time of the incident.
“Investigations revealed that aside the heavy downpour, the obviously old building constructed with mud bricks, had been seriously distressed over time with visible cracks on its other yet-to-collapse sides.
In order to avert danger to adjoining buildings and other users of the environment, LASEMA has recommended strongly that its remains be pulled down, the debris removed and the property forfeited to the Lagos State Government as stipulated by law,” he said.
“The law does not only stipulate removal of debris after rescue but includes seizure of such property for constituting risk to other residents within the immediate environment and those close to the building as at time of the incident.
“Investigations revealed that aside the heavy downpour, the obviously old building constructed with mud bricks, had been seriously distressed over time with visible cracks on its other yet-to-collapse sides.
In order to avert danger to adjoining buildings and other users of the environment, LASEMA has recommended strongly that its remains be pulled down, the debris removed and the property forfeited to the Lagos State Government as stipulated by law,” he said.