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“We Thank God”: Lagos Govt Confirms No Casualties in Ikorodu School Collapse, Orders Immediate Student Relocation

Metro Desk

The Lagos State Government has moved swiftly to calm fears following the collapse of a classroom block at Odokekere High School in Ikorodu, confirming that no lives were lost and ordering the immediate relocation of all affected students to ensure learning continues on Monday.

The collapse, which occurred on Thursday evening, sparked panic in the Odo-Kekere community, but authorities have clarified that the building was already empty and slated for demolition.

Quick Read

  • The Incident: A bungalow classroom block at Odokekere High School in Ikorodu collapsed on Thursday evening (Jan 15).
  • No Casualties: The Special Committee on Rehabilitation of Public Schools (SCRPS) confirmed that “no casualty was recorded” as the incident happened after school hours.
  • The Cause: The government revealed the building was already distressed and had been “marked for demolition” to make way for a new, larger structure.
  • Govt Action: Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has ordered the immediate relocation of students to nearby schools to prevent disruption to their academic calendar.

Detailed Story: A Tragedy Averted

IKORODU — Residents of the Odo-Kekere community in Ikorodu are breathing a sigh of relief today after a potentially deadly school collapse resulted in zero casualties.

The structure, a bungalow classroom block at Odokekere High School, gave way on Thursday evening, sending a thunderous sound through the neighborhood and causing panic among parents who feared their children might have been trapped.

“Students Are Safe”

In an official statement released this morning, the Lagos State Government, through the Special Committee on Rehabilitation of Public Schools (SCRPS), allayed the public’s fears.

“We wish to clearly state that no casualty was recorded in the building collapse, and all students are in good condition,” the committee stated.

The timing was miraculous—the collapse occurred after closing hours when the classrooms were empty. Emergency responders from LASEMA and the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) arrived promptly to cordon off the site and ensure no staff or security personnel were trapped in the rubble.

Building Was Already Marked for Demolition

The government pushed back against claims of negligence, noting that the collapsed structure was already on its “red list.” According to SCRPS, the block had been identified as distressed and was “marked for demolition” as part of an ongoing regeneration plan to replace old bungalows with multi-story edifices capable of housing the school’s growing population.

“A classified information from the SCRPS office reveals that the classroom block had already been marked for demolition in order to construct a befitting classroom edifice,” the statement read.

What Happens Next?

To ensure the students do not lose valuable learning time:

  1. Relocation: Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed that all affected pupils be moved immediately to neighboring schools.
  2. Reconstruction: SCRPS officials are scheduled to visit the site today for an on-the-spot assessment to finalize plans for the construction of a new “ultra-modern” classroom block.