Urgent evacuation ordered as Lagos police barracks faces imminent collapse

…LASEMA initiates emergency measures to ensure safety of residents

By Sodiq Adelakun

The Lagos State Government has declared an emergency at the Mopol 20 Barracks in Onigbongbo, Ikeja, following alarming structural assessments that indicate an imminent building collapse.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) is mobilising its response team to evacuate residents from the old block 3 section of the barracks immediately.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, the Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, emphasised the precarious condition of the building and the urgent need for precautionary measures.

“The Agency dispatched a response team to the location and the findings indicate that the building and those adjacent must be evacuated with immediate effect. We are conducting a response plan which comprises an assessment, safe and orderly evacuation, and controlled demolition,” he stated.

Oke-Osanyintolu further noted, “Under the watchful eye of the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu administration, we will be carrying out this preemptive demolition action due to the precarious conditions of the building and possible secondary incidents that could occur if left unmanaged.”

He urged the public to remain calm and to avoid spreading misinformation on social media regarding the situation.

“We are closely monitoring and managing this issue to ensure public safety,” he reassured.

In related developments, the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, had previously announced a comprehensive renovation plan for police barracks across the state, stating that “the police were carrying out a comprehensive renovation of some police barracks in the state” in partnership with the Lagos State Government.

The current situation at Mopol 20 Barracks highlights the urgent need for these renovations to be expedited.