22nd July, 2023
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Two children have been killed as a fence collapsed on a building at Ishawo area of Ikorodu, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria during the day’s heavy downpour.
The fence collapsed on a building at 25, Ajao Street, CWC by Olainukan Bus Stop, Ishawo, Ikorodu.
Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu said the incident was not a collapsed building but a fence that collapsed on a building, trapping five people.
Oke-Osanyintolu said upon arrival at the incident scene, a single storey building (Hotel fence) at No 38 Community road was found to have collapsed on a three-bedroom flat (Bungalow) at no 25 Alao Street behind the hotel.
He said further investigation revealed that the said building fence was weakened by poor drainage resulting in its collapse on the house No 25 Alao Street.
“Two young boys aged seven years and nine years old boy named Gbolahan and Yinka Atolagbe lost their lives. They have since been buried according to Muslim rites.
“The Agency’s LRT, Lagos State Fire Service, LNSC, LABCA and the Community Excos are the responders at the incident scene.
“The building has been cordoned off by the Agency’s LRT to avoid secondary incident and handed over to LABCA. Operation concluded, LRT heading back to base,” he said.
Also, the South-West Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Ibrahim Farinloye noted that it was very unfortunate that the distress call was not properly channeled to those whose responsibility was to save the life of their children at the right time.
He added that the Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA, is presently on ground to assess the situation.