We lost three lives, N50m to Ikorodu building collapse—Family 

By Abimbola Joseph

CITIZENS COMPASS—Barely a month after a two-storey building collapsed in Ota-Ona, Ikorodu, Lagos State, which left three persons dead, the affected families have cried to the state governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, to rescind its decision on seizures of the property.

The family members said they have expended over N50 million on the project before the tragedy occurred in May 2025.

They spoke over the weekend during a visit by the BUILT environment professionals, under the aegis of Building Collapse Prevention Guild (BCPG).

Speaking on behalf of the families, Mr Olayinka Osinowo, appealed to the governor to help alleviate sufferings of the bereaved and release the site to the families, having lost both life and fortune to the incident.

Osinowo said the families were going through psychological trauma and depression.

“We are appealing to the governor to please help us.

“We have spent over N50 million on the property, and our grandmother’s tomb is there.

“We already lost three members of our family, and fortune in terms of money.

Speaking during the visit, The BUILT environment professionals urged Governor Sanwo-Olu to support the families.

Citizens Compass reported that the two-storey building collapsed along Awolowo way, Ota-Ona, Ikorodu.

Citizens Compass reported that the families lost two children, and an elderly man when the building collapsed on May 27.

The visit was organised by BCPG Ikorodu Cell, led by Bldr Kazeem Isiaka.

The bodies of 16-year-old Maleek, his 13-year-old sister, Ameerah, and their 73-year-old uncle, known as Bolaji, were recovered from the rubbles of the two-storey building.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Bldr Kunle Awobodu, past president of the Nigeria Institute of Building (NIOB) said all stakeholders in the profession are working together to curtail the menace of building collapses in Lagos state and Nigeria in general.

Awobodu, who is also the pioneer president of BCPG, appealed to Sanwo-Olu to conduct proper investigation on the collapsed building as well as support families who lost their loved ones in the incident.

“Our members have collaborated to ensure that building constructions are monitored from foundation to avoid collapse.

“I urge the public to always follow due process before embarking on any construction to avert recurrence.

“We’re appealing to the state to please direct attention to the couples who lost two children and their loved ones,” he said.

TPL Joseph Akande, BCPG, Lagos State appealed to developers to ensure they process building plans and obtain necessary documents such as authorisation to commence construction before embarking on building.

Akande said there should be more enforcement by government building agencies with a ban on developers who don’t follow the statutory procedures before embarking on construction.

Also speaking, Bldr Isiaka Kazeem, coordinator BCPG Ikorodu cell, advised developers to always hire professionals who would embark on construction following guidelines and appealed to Lagos State Government to support the families of the victims of the building collapse in Ikorodu.

Citizens Compass reported that 11 persons were trapped during the collapse; 11 were rescued and three dead.