Lagos, Nigeria

The Lagos State Government has sounded an urgent alarm regarding a potentially catastrophic building collapse at the Mopol 20 Barracks in Onigbongbo, Ikeja. This follows a structural assessment by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), which found Block 3 of the barracks to be in a severely compromised and unsafe condition.

LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, revealed in a statement on Wednesday that the agency’s emergency response team had been dispatched to the site for an immediate assessment. The results were alarming, prompting the authorities to initiate an emergency evacuation plan and schedule a controlled demolition of the dilapidated structure.

“The agency dispatched a response team to the location, and the findings indicate that the building and those adjacent must be evacuated with immediate effect,” Oke-Osanyintolu stated. “We are conducting a response plan which includes an assessment, safe and orderly evacuation, and controlled demolition.”

The precarious condition of Block 3, along with the potential danger it poses to nearby structures, has led to a swift intervention under the directive of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The proactive measures, Oke-Osanyintolu emphasized, are intended to prevent loss of life or property.

The Permanent Secretary also urged residents and individuals in the vicinity to remain calm and avoid spreading misinformation via social media. He reassured the public that LASEMA is carefully monitoring and managing the situation to ensure the safety of all involved.

As the demolition and evacuation process unfolds, local authorities continue to urge cooperation from residents, reiterating the state’s commitment to preventing any potential disaster.