Lagos Building Collapse: 11-year-old Dead Victim Resurrects at Mortuary

Segun Atanda/

An 11-year-old victim of the 3-storey building that collapsed in Lagos yesterday narrowly escaped being taken into the mortuary alive at the Lagos Island General Hospital.

NewsmakersNG learnt that the unconscious victim, Taofeekat Rasheed, was about to be wheeled to the morgue, when her family insisted that she should be handed over to them for burial according to Islamic rites.

In the course of the argument, the little girl reportedly showed signs of life as she opened her eyes faintly.

A cardio-pulmonary resuscitation was immediately performed on her before she was rushed to the emergency room.

Doctors at the General Hospital in Marina Lagos yesterday confirmed 12 victims dead and 46 others battling for their lives after the building, which housed a nursery school collapsed in the early hours.

Baden School, a private nursery school, was on the second floor of the building at 10 Dagara Street, in Itafaji area of Lagos Island.

The son of the owner of the building, Erinoluwa Akinmoladun, said the house was under the management of a developer, whom he identified only as Mr Giwa.

He said the construction of the building was completed in 2010 by the developer, who was supposed to manage it for 10 years.

Erinoluwa, who was at the scene assisting rescue workers, added that his father had been rescued, but was not sure if all his siblings had been pulled out from the debris.

Officials of several government agencies, including Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Lagos State Ambulance Service, Lagos State Fire Service, Lagos State Building Control Agency, Federal Fire Service, National Emergency Management Agency, Nigeria Police Force, Rapid Response Squad, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Red Cross Society and the Lagos State Neighbourhood and Safety Corps, had yesterday rescued 50 pupils and eight tenants from the rubble.

Management of the General Hospital said no casualty had been brought in today.

The police contingent at the scene of the rescue operation was led by the Lagos State commissioner of police, CP Zubairu Muazu. Others included, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) operations in Lagos, DCP Ali Mohammed; the Area Commander, ACP Olubode Ojajuni; RRS Commander, ACP Tunji Disu, all Divisional Police Officers on Lagos Island.

Meanwhile, the Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident.

Ajimobi, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr Bolaji Tunji, said he was saddened by the lives lost in the unfortunate incident and the pains it has inflicted on the bereaved families and loved ones.

The governor said, “I am deeply saddened by the loss of lives, including schoolchildren, occasioned by the tragic and unfortunate incident. Many families are grieving now and the government and people of Oyo State share in their grief.

“We pray that God will comfort and strengthen them, and also grant them the needed fortitude at this trying period. May the Almighty repose the soul of the deceased.”

The governor prayed for quick healing for the injured and the safe rescue of those who might still be trapped in the debris.

He also commiserated with the government and people of Lagos State over the incident, while enjoining Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to ensure that “those whose actions or inactions might have contributed to the tragedy do not escape the appropriate punishment.”

Ajimobi appealed to the public, especially stakeholders in the construction industry, to abide strictly with extant building regulations and also ensure that their works meet up with the required standards.

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