Some worshippers at a parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in the Somolu region of Lagos State narrowly escaped death on Monday when a two-storey building under construction collapsed on the church.
Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, confirmed in a statement on Monday that the building collapsed during the decking process.
He reported that one of the collapsed building’s pillars fell on the church.
Oke-Osanyintolu stated, “Upon the arrival of the agency’s response team at the scene, it was observed that a two-storey building under construction was found to have collapsed during the decking process.
“Preliminary investigations conducted by the Cobra response team revealed that the collapsed structure was one of two structures being constructed at the site. The cause of the incident has yet to be determined as of the time of the report.
“No life was lost and no injuries were recorded as the workers reportedly escaped the scene unscathed before the arrival of emergency responders.”
He further revealed that upon arrival at the scene, a search and rescue operation was carried out, and it was discovered that nobody was trapped under the debris of the collapsed building.
“The pillars of the collapsed building fell on a church (RCCG, Liberty Parish at 5 Craig Street), which was partially affected, but no life was lost and no injuries were sustained, as worshippers in the church also escaped unscathed.
“The Cobra response team, alongside all other responders, coordinated a search of the scene of the incident to ensure no victim was trapped under the collapsed building.
“Public enlightenment and sensitisation were carried out on the need to stay away from the collapsed site,” Oke-Osanyintolu stated.