Ikoyi building collapse: 14 dead as Sanwo-Olu removes LASBCA GM, orders probe

The death toll from the collapse of the 21-storey building at 20, Gerrard Road, Ikoyi has hit 14, 9 persons are wounded.

Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has ordered the constitution of an independent panel to probe the disaster.

Members will be drawn from the Nigeria Institute of Architects (NIA), Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP), Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) and other professional bodies.

They will investigate the remote and immediate causes of the incident and make recommendations on how to prevent future occurrences.

“The investigation is not part of the internal probe already being conducted by the government”, Information Commissioner, Gbenga Omotoso announced in a statement.

Sanwo-Olu vowed that the government will find out what went wrong and punish those indicted.

The governor directed that the General Manager, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Gbolahan Oki, an architect, be suspended from work immediately.

“Nine persons – all men – have been pulled out of the rubble alive. They have been taken to the hospital. Unfortunately, 14 others were brought out dead – as at 2pm.

“More equipment and personnel have been deployed in the site to save more lives. A help desk has been set up”, Omotoso added.