37-year-old Ramon Oladapo, a carpenter at the seven-storey building that collapsed in the Banana Island area of Lagos, has recalled how his co-workers saved him after the building caved in.
WITHIN NIGERIA recalls that the seven-storey building, which was under construction, collapsed on Wednesday, leaving many workers trapped.
Oladapo said after he noticed that the building was about to collapse, he started running down the stairs from the seventh floor where he was working.
The artisan, who said he did not tell his wife and children that he was at the scene of the building collapse, added that on getting to the fourth floor, the structure fell on him.
He stated this while speaking with PUNCH after chest surgery at the Falomo Police Hospital, Ikoyi.
Oladapo said, “I am a carpenter and I was working under the decking of the seventh floor when the building caved in. As I heard the sound, I tried to find a way out immediately.
“I started running down the stairs; I managed to make it to the fourth floor before the building gave way. I just saw myself under the decking and I started shouting for help. God opened a way for me; my co-workers discovered me and pulled me out.
“I am married with three children. I live at Kola, after Iyana-Ipaja. My wife and children are not aware that a building collapsed on me or I am in a hospital. I do not want to tell her so she doesn’t become worried and afraid.
“I had a minor chest surgery this afternoon (Thursday). I have been experiencing pain in my chest and I have injuries on my hands and legs, although they are not much. I am grateful to be alive.”
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