Baby Girl Among Nine Dead as Lagos Mall Collapse Sparks Safety Fears
A baby girl has died among nine people feared dead after a three-storey shopping mall collapsed along Old Ojo Road, near Alakija Bus Stop in Lagos.
The collapse trapped several people, including children, as rescue teams searched through the rubble for survivors. Emergency officials said 26 people were rescued, while nine fatalities were recorded.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about the safety of children in public spaces, especially where buildings are used for business activities and family visits.
Eyewitnesses said the building collapsed suddenly around 11 a.m., forcing residents, traders, and passersby to run for safety. Some people later returned to assist in rescue efforts.
Emergency responders from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, fire service, police, navy, and other agencies worked together to recover those trapped.
Officials said the rescued persons were taken to medical facilities for treatment, while recovered bodies were also moved for identification.
The death of the baby girl has renewed calls for stronger enforcement of building safety rules to prevent children and families from being exposed to unsafe structures.
Child protection advocates say public places must provide safe environments where children can move, learn, and live without facing avoidable dangers.
Authorities have promised further investigations into the cause of the collapse and measures to prevent similar tragedies.
