A former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has expressed shock over the collapse of a 21-storey building in Ikoyi area of Lagos State. The incident which happened on Monday afternoon has left at least four people confirmed dead and several injured.
“I am devastated by reports of the collapse of a high rise building in the Ikoyi area of Lagos. My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of all those who may have been caught up in the tragedy,” Atiku wrote on his verified Twitter handle.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the building located at 20, Gerrard Road, collapsed around 3 p.m. on Monday.
Reports say the owner of the building and some construction workers are among those inside the building when it collapsed.
Officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said they were trying to deploy the military for crowd control as apprehensive sympathisers insisted there are many people trapped inside the building.
“The Agency has activated its emergency response plan to the scene. Search and Rescue operations ongoing,” LASEMA said in a statement.
“The Hon. Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, it’s counterpart, Hon. Comm for Physical Planning and DG LASEMA are fully on ground.
“All first responders are at the scene while the heavy duty equipment and life detection equipment have been dispatched.”
The Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, has also been sighted at the scene.
