In a devastating incident in Lagos State, the bodies of three family members—16-year-old Maleek, his 13-year-old sister Ameerah, and their 73-year-old uncle Bolaji—were recovered from the rubble of a collapsed two-storey building in the Ota-Ona community of Ikorodu. The tragedy occurred on Tuesday along Awolowo Road, a site that residents say had previously shown signs of structural instability.
The building, which was still under construction, was being funded by a family member based in the United Kingdom. Bolaji, the children’s uncle, was supervising the construction project locally. Despite visible cracks and creaking sounds reported by nearby residents, the structure remained in use until it gave way, claiming the lives of the three family members.
On the day of the collapse, the community was observing the Oro festival, a traditional event that restricts women from moving freely outdoors. Maleek had planned to visit the mosque for afternoon prayers, but Ameerah, mindful of the festival’s restrictions, convinced him to stay and pray at home. Both were praying beneath the incomplete building when it collapsed, burying them and their uncle under the debris.
Eyewitnesses and local residents attempted to mount a rescue but were initially hindered by the cultural restrictions in place. Emergency responders from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service eventually arrived and managed to pull 10 people alive from the wreckage. All those rescued were identified as construction workers; none were members of the family.
Three Family Members Found Dead in Ikorodu Building Collapse
A neighbour, Adetunji, described the moment of the collapse, recalling how the rumbling sound and rising dust threw the community into panic. She noted that the rescue was delayed because some residents were hesitant to act due to the ongoing festival. Another resident, identified only as Hassan, said the building had shown visible signs of distress days before the incident. He recalled that the structure shook violently just before it came crashing down.
The tragic loss of the three family members has intensified scrutiny on construction practices and oversight in Lagos State. A rescue official from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, speaking anonymously, confirmed that no other victims were believed to be trapped and the operation had concluded.
Tanmi Akinawo, the Lagos regional officer of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, visited the scene and criticized the pervasive disregard for safety regulations. He blamed the repeated cases of building collapse on widespread corruption and non-compliance with engineering standards. Akinawo stressed that many developers ignore professional advice and choose to cut corners, resulting in poorly constructed buildings that endanger lives.
He also called for a national public awareness campaign, urging institutions like the National Orientation Agency to educate people about the dangers of non-compliance in the construction sector. According to him, Lagos—being a rapidly growing city—must take building safety more seriously as demand for residential and commercial spaces increases.
This incident adds to a growing list of building collapses in the state. Just a month prior, five lives were lost when a three-storey building collapsed in the Ojodu Berger area. These recurring tragedies point to a systemic failure in enforcing building codes and ensuring that only certified professionals handle construction projects.
The death of the three family members—Maleek, Ameerah, and Bolaji—serves as a painful reminder of the cost of negligence. Their lives were cut short not by natural disaster, but by human error and oversight. As authorities continue to investigate the Ikorodu collapse, it is hoped that the outcome will not only provide justice for the victims but also lead to policy reforms that prioritize safety, accountability, and human life above all else.
Source- Punch
