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Category: Lagos Update

  • JUST IN: Three dead as another building collapses in Lagos

    JUST IN: Three dead as another building collapses in Lagos

    By Doris Isreal Ijeoma

    At least three site workers have been reported dead following the collapse of a building at Arowojobe Estate in Maryland, Lagos State, early Thursday morning.

    The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the incident through Permanent Secretary Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu in a statement to NAN. 

    The building collapse occurred at No. 13 Wilson Mba Street, Arowojobe Estate, Maryland. Dr. Oke-Osanyintolu stated that the deceased were male site workers who were recovered from the scene.

    “The agency received a distress call regarding a collapsed building at the above address at about 3.49 a.m.

    “This prompted the immediate activation of the agency’s response team to the scene of the incident at 3.58 a.m.

    “It was discovered that a set of three terraces under construction had collapsed

    Search and rescue operations began immediately and three adult males were recovered dead, two male adults were rescued alive and one adult male trapped under the rubble was rescued,” he said.

    He added that the rescued ones were carried out through the efforts of LASEMA and the Lagos State Fire Service.

    “All the six men were site workers.

    “They are receiving pre hospital care on location while the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit has been contacted for the remains of the three fatalities.

    “A combined team of agency personnel, fire service and Nigeria Police are working at the scene.

    “LASEMA’s excavator has been deployed to accelerate the search and rescue operations,” he said.

  • Heavy Rainfall Causes Widespread Flooding in Ibeju-Lekki 

    Heavy Rainfall Causes Widespread Flooding in Ibeju-Lekki 

    Residential areas and major roads in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, have been inundated by floods following several hours of heavy rainfall in recent days.

    The downpour, which persisted for many hours on Wednesday, resulted in significant flooding in residential areas across Ibeju-Lekki and surrounding locations such as Epe, Eredo, Bogije, Labora, Abijon, Sangotedo, Awoyaya, and others.

    Residents attributed the flooding to the blockage of waterways caused by indiscriminate dumping of waste in the localities.

    Rasheed Ayobami, a resident of Labora, Ibeju-Lekki, described how his house was submerged due to the absence of a functional drainage system at his new residence.

    “The water flowed into my compound and completely submerged my house. We live in an area without proper drainage, forcing water into our homes and leaving us homeless,” he lamented.

    Seyi Arowosaye voiced concerns over perennial flooding on the Ibeju-Lekki Expressway, attributing it to blocked drains in the area.

    “We urge the Ibeju-Lekki local government to clear the drains and implore residents to stop dumping waste in the drainage system to prevent future flooding,” Arowosaye urged. He also called on the Lagos State government to expedite road repairs in Sangotedo.

    Bola Fadugba highlighted the impact of the flooding in Labora, emphasizing the urgent need for a lasting solution to the recurring flood challenges in the area.

    “Floods have made my house inhabitable during the rainy season. Many parts of the metropolis are affected. The government must find a lasting solution to this perennial problem,” Fadugba insisted.

    The flooding also affected key roads such as Abraham Adesanya, Awoyaya, Sangotedo, and Majek, exacerbated by ongoing road rehabilitation works in the locality.

  • BREAKING: One killed, seven rescued as building collapses in Lagos

    BREAKING: One killed, seven rescued as building collapses in Lagos

    A child was feared dead on Wednesday when a building collapsed at 10, Cameroon street in Mushin, Lagos. 

    Seven other residents were also reportedly rescued by sympathisers from the rubbles. 

    A resident said the building collapsed following heavy downpours in many parts of Lagos. 

    She said the Lagos rescue team was yet to respond to emergency calls as of the time of filing this report. 

  • Two-Storey Building Collapses In Lagos Island leaving many trapped

    Two-Storey Building Collapses In Lagos Island leaving many trapped

    The collapse of a two-storey building in the Isale Eko area of Lagos State on Thursday, has reportedly left many people trapped.

    The structure alleged to have been defective, gave way following a fire in parts of Dosunmu Market on Lagos Island.

    The Lagos Territorial Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Ibrahim Farinloye, who confirmed the incident, said 14 other buildings were seriously impacted by the fire.

    The fresh occurrence follows that of April, when four buildings collapsed due to the intensity of the fire that engulfed part of Dosunmu Market on Lagos Island.

    He said emergency responders including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Federal and State Fire Services, the Nigeria Police and fire service of the Nigeria Ports Authority, were already at the scene of the event.

  • Ikeja Electric slashes tariff for Band A customers

    Ikeja Electric slashes tariff for Band A customers

    Ikeja Electric Distribution Company (IE) Monday, revealed that it has reduced it’s electricity tariff for customers under Band A from N225/kWh to N206.80/kWh.
    This was made known through a circular by the management of the company on its “X”(Formerly Twitter) page on Monday.
    Specifically, it said the customers will now pay N206.80/kwh as against the N225/kwh ordered by the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
    According to the statement, IE guaranteed to provide 20 to 24 hours of electricity to users under this Band, adding that the tariff for customers under other categories will remain the same.

    It said: “Dear Esteemed Customers, Please be informed of the downward tariff review of our Band A feeders from N225/kwh to N206.80/kwh effective 6th May 2024 with guaranteed availability of 20-24hrs supply daily.
    “The tariff for Bands B, C, D, and E remains unchanged.”

  • Nigeria Police Reacts To Reports Of Packing Lagos State Residents In Buses To Osun

    Nigeria Police Reacts To Reports Of Packing Lagos State Residents In Buses To Osun

    The Nigeria Police Force, Lagos State Command on Saturday claimed that it was not aware nor were its operatives involved in packing some residents of the state to Osun State. 

    Reports emerged on Saturday on how the Nigeria Police Force in conjunction with the Lagos State Task Force packed hundreds of residents and young people from the streets of the state on Friday and dumped them in Osun State. 

    One of the youths who said he was taken away by the Nigerian policemen at his place of work on Friday afternoon narrated his ordeal.

    He had said the law enforcement agents packed young people from Ajah, TBS and Island areas of the state and gathered them inside an uncompleted building at the Makoko police station before moving them to a forest in Ilesha town in Osun State.
    He had said there were about five luxurious buses filled with the youths that were taken to Osun State in the company of policemen. 

    Reacting to this in a press statement issued on X, the state command spokesman, Benjamin Hundeyin claimed the force was not aware of the operation.

    The statement reads: “Following news making the rounds that the “Nigerian Police…Pack Residents…to Osun,” the Lagos State Police Command wishes to clarify that it is not aware, neither was it part, of any such operation.

    “The command, in keeping with its mandates of prevention and detection of crime, conducts raids of black spots from time to time, and promptly arraigns only culpable suspects in courts of competent jurisdiction in the state after a thorough screening of the people raided.

    “The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Adegoke Fayoade, assures the good people of Lagos State that the command would continue to prioritise their safety and security at all times.” 

  • Lagos Temporarily Shuts Down Churches, Hotels Over Noise Pollution

    Lagos Temporarily Shuts Down Churches, Hotels Over Noise Pollution

    The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency has temporarily shut down various establishments, including churches, bars, and hotels, in several areas like Ifako-Ijaiye, Abule-Egba, Alagbado, Command, Abesan Estate, and Dopemu due to noise pollution.

    This was made known in a post shared by the state Commissioner, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, on his X account on Friday.

    Affected establishments include the Catholic Church, Seventh Heaven Bar & Lounge, 1602 Hotel, Lourita Hotel & Suites, Wonderful Bible Prayer Ministries, God’s Porch Ministries, White Pavilion Hotel, Quest Hotel & Suites, Honey Comb Confectioners Ltd, and Excel Hotel & Suite. 

    The statement reads: “In a significant effort to address noise pollution and other environmental breaches, LASEPA #LasepaOfficial conducted a comprehensive enforcement operation today in strategic areas of lfako-ljaiye, Abule-Egba, Alagbado, Command, Abesan Estate, and Dopemu within Lagos State.

    “Among the affected establishments are the Catholic Church, Seventh Heaven Bar & Lounge, 1602 Hotel, Lourita Hotel & Suites, Wonderful Bible Prayer Ministries, God’s Porch Ministries, White Pavilion Hotel, Quest Hotel & Suites, Honey Comb Confectioners Ltd, and Excel Hotel & Suite these establishments have been temporarily closed to compel compliance with environmental regulations.

    “LASEPA emphasized the vital importance of businesses adhering to environmental standards.”

  • Lagos Deputy Commissioner Of Police Found Dead In His Home 

    Lagos Deputy Commissioner Of Police Found Dead In His Home 

    Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Gbolahan Oyedemi, serving under the Lagos State Police Command, was discovered dead in his private residence in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

    DCP Oyedemi, who previously served as the Aide de Camp (ADC) to former Oyo State Governor Christopher Adebayo Alao Akala in 2006, was found hanging in his home on Monday, raising suspicions of suicide.

    The late officer, a native of Ogbomoso, had returned to the town for Easter celebrations from Lagos before the tragic incident occurred.

    Sources revealed that he had discharged his aides to enjoy the holiday with their families before the shocking discovery was made.

    Oyedemi, who had been residing with his mother before constructing a new home, was reportedly unmarried.

    Efforts to reach the spokespersons of the Lagos and Oyo State Police Commands for comments were unsuccessful at the time of this report.

  • Kenyan Wins Lagos City Marathon

    Kenyan Wins Lagos City Marathon

    Bernard Sang, a Kenyan athlete, claimed victory in the 2024 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon with a time of 02:16:49.

    The 32-year-old defeated about 80 others in the 9th edition of the race on Saturday to win the 42km race and clinch the $50,000 prize money.

    The East Africans dominated the race as two other Kenyans, Simon Cheprot and Edwin Kiptoo, came second and third, with cash prizes of $40,000 and $30,000 respectively.

    The Kenyans won the marathon in 2016, 2017, 2020 and 2021.

    More so, 25-year-old Ethiopian, Kebene Chala, was the first woman to cross the finish line.

    Shehu Muazu was the first Nigerian to cross the finish line and will be going home with a N1 million cash prize.

    The 42km race, which was scheduled between 5 a.m. and 2 p.m. began at the National Stadium in Surulere and ended at the Eko Atlantic City in Victoria Island.

    The Lagos State Government, through the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, on Friday, issued a traffic advisory ahead of the yearly Access Bank Lagos City Marathon

  • Lagos by-election: Fashola inexplicably absent at polling unit

    Lagos by-election: Fashola inexplicably absent at polling unit

    A former governor of Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN), was inexplicably absent at his polling unit, to vote for his party’s (APC) candidate for the Surulere 1 House of Representatives.

    Fashola, who was expected at the polling unit with the wife, Mrs Abimbola Fashola, was not seen throughout the election.

    Journalists, who waited for the former Minister of Power, Works and Housing, from 8.a.m. when the election started, left for other places after hours of waiting, while some stayed till the end on the possibility of him coming.

    One of the party members who pleaded anonymity said that the former governor was actually expected to come around to exercise his franchise.

    ”We actually expected him but along the line it was clear that he will not be coming again. I heard that he is not in town,” the party member said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that voting for the Surulere Federal Constituency 1 in Polling Unit 002, at State Junior Grammar School (Special), Itolo Street, Eric Moore, Surulere, started at 8.00 a.m, as INEC agents arrived on time to set up the unit.

    The unit, which is the venue where Fashola was expected to cast his vote, saw voters trickling in.

    The unit which had 750 registered voters, recorded only 45 voters who came to exercise their franchise.