The bodies of 16-year-old Maleek, his 13-year-old sister Ameerah, and their 73-year-old uncle, Bolaji, were recovered on Wednesday from the rubble of a collapsed two-storey building in the Ota-Ona community of Ikorodu, Lagos State.
The incident occurred on Tuesday at an uncompleted building located along Awolowo Road. According to local sources, the victims were members of the same family. The structure was reportedly being financed by a relative based in the United Kingdom, with the late septuagenarian Bolaji overseeing the project on-site.
Residents revealed that the building had exhibited visible signs of structural weakness before it collapsed. While some blamed the site engineer, others expressed shock over the tragic development.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that 10 people were rescued from the debris. However, findings indicated that all survivors were site workers, while the deceased victims were not part of the construction crew.
A relative, Lanre Itameta, explained that Maleek and Ameerah had only gone to the site due to movement restrictions imposed by the ongoing Oro festival, which prohibits women from being outdoors during certain rituals.
“Bolaji, Maleek, and his sister Ameerah didn’t make it. Maleek had just written his last UTME. It’s such a painful loss,” Itameta said. “They were praying under the structure when it collapsed. My elder brother, Bolaji, had gone there to film construction progress for our brother in the UK.”
According to Itameta, Ameerah had urged Maleek to stay and pray at the site since she could not go out due to the festival. The collapse occurred while they were in prayer.
A neighbour, Mrs. Adetunji, added that the Oro festival also hindered timely rescue efforts.
“I was with my children when we heard a loud rumble. But when we tried to help, some people stopped us, reminding us that women were not allowed outside due to the festival,” she said.
Another resident, Hassan, recalled earlier warnings signs. “The building had been shaking. Then suddenly, it collapsed with a loud crash.”
A Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) official confirmed that the rescue operation had concluded, with all individuals accounted for—three dead and 10 injured.
Tanmide Akinawo, Lagos Regional Officer for the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), expressed deep concern over the tragedy, linking it to the widespread disregard for building regulations.
“This is the result of cutting corners,” Akinawo said. “Until builders start following due process with qualified professionals and proper materials, these disasters will continue.”
He called for urgent public education campaigns by the National Orientation Agency and state institutions to promote adherence to building standards.
This latest collapse comes just one month after a similar tragedy in April, when a three-storey building collapsed in the Ojodu Berger area of Lagos, killing five people.