Two people have been confirmed dead, while 28 others were rescued after a two-storey building collapsed at 49 Coates Street, off Oyingbo Road, Lagos, early yesterday.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service (LSFRS) said it received a distress call around 12:20 a.m., and responders from the Sari Iganmu Fire Station arrived nine minutes later to begin rescue efforts.

The Director of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), Beatrice Makinde, confirmed that the deceased were a man and an elderly woman. A resident, who declined to be named, said he was awakened by a loud cracking sound moments before the building gave way. Another resident said a man who visited the premises late on Sunday had not been seen since the incident, though officials have not confirmed this.

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Teams from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), LASAMBUS, the Fire Service, the Nigerian Police and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) were at the site, using heavy machinery to search through the rubble.

LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the operation would continue until everyone was accounted for. He added that investigations were ongoing to determine whether structural fatigue or substandard materials caused the collapse, and that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted.

Residents said the building had been repeatedly marked for demolition by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) over structural defects, but the owner allegedly ignored the warnings and carried out unauthorised renovations. Some tenants reportedly moved out after noticing cracks, while others remained until the collapse.

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Emergency officials provided water, medical care, and temporary relief supplies to displaced residents, while authorities urged the public to stay away from the area to allow rescue operations to continue smoothly.

Earlier, LSFRS Controller General, Margaret Adeseye, said 15 people: seven men, four women and four children, had been rescued with varying degrees of injury and taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Ebute Meta and the Lagos Island General Hospital. She confirmed that the collapsed structure had previously been declared unsafe but remained occupied.

Adeseye added that the LSFRS and other emergency agencies were fully mobilised to ensure that all victims were rescued and accounted for.

“It is an ongoing rescue involving an existing two-storey building which had reportedly been marked distressed before collapsing on the occupants,” she said.

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and Army personnel were on Monday attacked at Ukpuje town, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

Mitchell Ofoyeju, State commander of the NDLEA who stated this in a statement, said an officer of the agency sustained an injury during the attack.

Ofoyeju, who said the community is notorious for cannabis cultivation and trafficking, noted that as the team advanced through the town, they encountered resistance from local cultivators, who ambushed them, resulting in an exchange of gunfire which led the team to abort the operation before proceeding later.

He said one officer was struck by a sharp object on the hand. He stated that the officer has since received medical attention and is expected to make a full recovery.

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As the team advanced through the town, they encountered resistance from local cultivators, who ambushed them, resulting in an exchange of gunfire. The hostile environment forced the team to abort the operation and retreat for safety.

The statement read, “A combined team of NDLEA and Army personnel came under attack on Monday at Ukpuje town, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

“Unfortunately, one officer was struck by a sharp object on the hand. This officer has since received medical attention and is expected to make a full recovery.

“I commend the bravery of our officers and the army personnel involved. Our mission here is to ensure that illegal drug activities are disrupted, particularly in areas notorious for drug cultivation.

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“Although we faced resistance, we are grateful that no life was lost, and our team was able to carry out the operation efficiently.”

Ofoyeju said the NDLEA would intensify efforts against drug cultivation and trafficking in Edo State.

“We will not relent in our pursuit of a drug-free society. Operations like these are crucial in our fight against narcotics,” he added.

The raid in Ukpuje is part of a broader strategy by the NDLEA to combat drug trafficking and promote community safety. Illicit cannabis cultivation has long been a challenge in the area.

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The operation in Ukpuje underscores the ongoing collaboration between law enforcement agencies to tackle the growing menace of drug abuse and trafficking in the state.

The agency in the past months have also visited spots known for illicit drug sales in the state to arrest dealers.

It has also got the conviction of barons and dealers while seizing drugs and also in sensitization programmes on the ills of drug abuse.

Troops of the Nigerian military have neutralised no fewer than 80 armed bandits attempting to infiltrate Kebbi State from the Zamfara border, in one of the most decisive security operations recorded in recent months.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Strategy, Abdullahi Idris Zuru, disclosed this in a statement released on Sunday, describing the operation as a major victory in the state’s ongoing war against banditry.

According to him, the success recorded in Ngaski Local Government Area was the result of the strategic deployment of fully equipped troops across Kebbi’s borders with Sokoto, Zamfara, and Niger States, as directed by Governor Nasir Idris.

Zuru explained that Governor Idris had earlier requested additional military reinforcements to strengthen border security, a move that has since led to the neutralisation of hundreds of bandits and the restoration of peace in several communities.

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He said credible intelligence reports prompted the strategic positioning of troops around Makurdi village, where soldiers engaged the heavily armed attackers in fierce gun battles on Friday and Saturday nights.

“About 80 bandits were neutralised, while several others escaped with gunshot wounds,” said Director of Security, Abdulrahaman Usman, adding that dozens of motorcycles and two abducted victims were recovered during the operation.

Zuru noted that the Kebbi State Government’s collaboration with security agencies, particularly the Nigerian Army, has been crucial in sustaining the momentum against banditry. 4

He added that Governor Idris had donated 100 Hilux vehicles and 5,000 motorcycles to enhance troop mobility and response capacity.

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Reacting to the success, the Emir of Yauri, Zayyanu Muhammad, commended the gallantry of the troops and lauded Governor Idris for his unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state.

“The people of Kebbi are proud of the sacrifices of our soldiers and the leadership of Governor Idris, whose efforts are restoring peace and hope to our communities,” the Emir said.

Security sources said the latest onslaught has forced several bandit groups to retreat deeper into neighbouring forests, signalling that Kebbi is becoming increasingly unsafe for criminal elements.

According to The PUNCH, troops of Operation Hadin Kai had killed more than 50 terrorists and repelled multiple coordinated attacks on military locations across Borno and Yobe States.

The Nigerian military said the simultaneous attacks occurred between midnight and 4am on Thursday when terrorists launched assaults on troops’ positions in Dikwa, Mafa, Gajibo and Katarko, situated within Sectors 1 and 2 of the Joint Operations Area 1.