Three persons – a 12-year-old girl, a woman and a man –have lost their lives to a building collapsealong Herbert Macaulay Way, Ebute Metta, Lagos.

It was learnt that the incident occurred around 9.30am on Friday.

The woman was said to be an illegal occupant of the building as the residents had been reportedly issued an evacuation notice by the Lagos Building Control Agency (LASBCA).

The Territorial Head of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Lagos, Ibrahim Farinloye, confirmed the building collapse, adding that a rescue operation was ongoing.

He said, “A two-storey building with a pent house collapsed at about 0930 hours along Herbert Macaulay way, Ebute Metta. It is suspected that a woman illegally occupying it was trapped though it is suspected that there could be additional two people, but no one could confirm that yet.

“The Lagos Building Control Agency (LASBCA) had issued evacuation notice several times and all the original occupants had parked out. It was alleged that the property had been sold out about four months ago.

“Three of the occupants jumped to safety with the assistance of the residents. Search and rescue operation is ongoing,” he added.

Giving an update, Director Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, said that three persons died in the building collapse.

“A male and female adults as well as a female child of about 12 years old were recovered (dead),” she said. (Daily Trust)