A Lagos resident narrowly escaped a building collapse at a popular Ojodu Berger restaurant. The two-storey building came down Saturday morning. Details here.
Lagos Building Collapse: Resident Recounts Chilling Escape From Popular Ojodu Berger Restaurant
“I almost ate there this morning,” said Chike, a resident of Ojodu, Lagos, who narrowly escaped being caught in the building collapse that occurred on Saturday morning, April 19, 2025, in the Ojodu Berger area of Lagos State.
The two-storey structure, which housed a popular local restaurant on Oremeta Street, reportedly caved in at approximately 8:00 a.m., just minutes after some of the staff resumed for the day.
According to officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), five individuals had been rescued from the rubble as of press time. However, eyewitnesses and local residents feared that more victims might still be trapped beneath the debris.
You can also read
Chike, speaking to our correspondent, shared his chilling story:
“I live in Ojodu, and that restaurant is where I usually eat. Last night, I planned to eat there, but something didn’t feel right. I ended up buying ingredients and cooking at home instead. That decision may have saved my life.”
He added that he was heading towards Berger to pick up an item when he heard about the incident.
“I was getting ready to go out when I heard something had happened at EqualRight. By the time I arrived, I saw people injured and chaos everywhere.”
Chike expressed concern over the number of people who may still be inside the collapsed structure.
“That place is always busy. They serve over 100 customers daily, especially during football matches when up to 70 people gather there to watch. It’s heartbreaking.”
He noted that the building had aged visibly and speculated that there might have been some reconstruction or extension work ongoing before the collapse.
Meanwhile, emergency response teams battled to manage the crowd, as onlookers and anxious relatives gathered at the scene. Two bulldozers were seen navigating through the debris as police officers urged residents to keep clear, although many refused to leave.
Efforts to get a comment from the Lagos State Police Command were unsuccessful, as calls to the spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, went unanswered.
Residents and families of potential victims remain hopeful as rescue operations continue. The state government has yet to release an official statement on the incident or confirm if there were any fatalities.
