Reports are emerging of significant panic in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State following the collapse of a building within a public school premises earlier today, Friday, 16 January 2026.
Emergency responders, including the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, have been mobilized to the scene to conduct search and rescue operations.
The incident occurred during school hours, leading to chaotic scenes as parents rushed to the site to locate their children.
Initial reports point to a block of classrooms in a prominent government-owned secondary school within the Ikorodu metropolis.
Witnesses describe a sudden “rumbling sound” before a section of a two-story classroom block crumbled.
The school management acted quickly to evacuate students from adjacent buildings, but there are fears that some individuals may still be trapped under the rubble.
As of 1:00 PM, rescue efforts are in full swing:
LASEMA Intervention: Heavy-duty equipment has been deployed to carefully remove the debris.
Medical Teams: Ambulances from the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) are on standby, with several injured students already being transported to the Ikorodu General Hospital.
Security Cordon: The Nigeria Police Force has cordoned off the area to prevent the large crowd of onlookers and panicked parents from interfering with the rescue mission.
The Lagos State Ministry of Education has issued a preliminary statement through its social media channels, urging for calm.
“We are aware of the unfortunate incident at a public school in Ikorodu. Our primary focus is the safety and rescue of any trapped students or staff. The Commissioner for Education is on his way to the site. We urge parents to remain calm as we provide updates.”
Residents are advised to avoid the roads leading to the affected school to allow easy passage for emergency vehicles.
The state government is setting up a temporary information desk at the Ikorodu Local Government Secretariat for parents to verify the status of their children.
