A tenant of the three-story building in Ebute Meta, Lagos, that collapsed on Sunday has described how he nearly spared death in the disaster.
Engineer Adegoke Ogunbabi, who escaped without injury while speaking to reporters on Monday, May 2, said he was asleep in his bedroom on the last floor when the building collapsed.
Ogunbabi, who has lived in the building for ten years, claimed he didn’t give in to fear and instead trusted God to save him, and Someone came to his help just in time.
“I was on my bed when the building collapsed. I normally do exercise because I had a spinal cord injury. God was my Saviour. I slept around 7pm. A neighbour called me but I didn’t pick up the call because I hate disturbance while sleeping. Someone else called me around 9.30pm. I was hearing some sound and noticed that the building was collapsing.
“I was naked. I didn’t entertain fear. I was determined that whatever God wishes would happen. I was assuring myself that I would be safe and God did it. Someone came to rescue me”. He said.
Speaking further, Ogunlabi disclosed that the landlord didn’t live in the building and that he was saddened by the catastrophe that claimed the lives of his neighbours.
“I feel bad that some people died, especially a young man called David. He always played with me,” he added.
The building located on Ibadan Street, Ebute Metta, collapsed around 9pm on Sunday, May 1, trapping many tenants. According to reports, the building was dilapidated and distressed before it eventually gave way.
Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the Director General of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, said the building had been sealed for demolition due to it’s dilapidated state but the occupants refused to move.