Neglect and Tragedy: Agboye Estate’s Catastrophic Collapse Unveils Urban Nightmare

In the heart of Ketu, Lagos, a once-vibrant school-turned-residential building known as Agboye Estate now stands as a haunting symbol of abandonment and peril. The recent partial collapse of this massive structure on a sombre Sunday afternoon sent shockwaves rippling through the community, baring the raw wounds of neglect and indifference.

As the rain poured relentlessly upon Lagos, the building, a labyrinth of over 800 rooms housing hundreds of souls, initially yielded on a bleak Saturday afternoon. The torrential downpour, nature’s fury compounded by years of neglect, mercilessly battered the already fragile edifice. Residents, clinging to the remnants of their humble lives within the compound, fought desperately to salvage their meagre possessions.

But tragedy was far from sated. On that fateful Sunday, as the feeble ember of hope flickered dimly, the building crumbled again, obliterating yet another structure within its grasp before finally surrendering to gravity. Panic seized the neighbourhood, forcing hundreds of families and individuals to flee, leaving behind not only their homes but the shards of their shattered dreams.

The harrowing tale of Agboye Estate traces its roots back to 2014 when investigative reports laid bare the nightmarish existence of its tenants. These resilient souls endured the malevolence of snakes, scorpions, and other treacherous creatures, all due to the stagnant sewage water at the rear of the building. The overcrowded, crumbling blocks offered no respite, with at least 12 rooms sharing a solitary toilet and bathroom. Imagine the indignity: 24 people relying on one bathroom.

Adding insult to injury, tenants were deprived of basic comforts – no power generators, no electric kettles, no air conditioners, not even the privilege of hosting important social gatherings. Such draconian measures were ruthlessly enforced by the landlord, Onamo Agboye. And the ultimate cruelty – the compound’s sole entrance was locked securely at 11:00 p.m. every night, effectively imprisoning its inhabitants within their own walls.

Following the damning 2014 exposé, the Lagos State Government did take some action by partially sealing the building. However, shockingly, this punitive measure was swiftly lifted, casting a dark cloud of doubt over the authorities’ commitment to ensuring the residents’ safety.

Now, in the year 2023, the landlord of Agboye Estate has mysteriously vanished, escaping the consequences of this catastrophic collapse. It raises a vexing question of accountability and responsibility in the face of such palpable danger.

The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABSCA) has pledged to expedite the removal of all compromised structures within the Agboye Compound in Ketu. Yet, they revealed a disheartening fact: occupants of the compound had repeatedly turned a blind eye to numerous prior notices. LABSCA’s General Manager, Gbolahan Oki, expressed his dismay at this negligence, noting that the agency had issued eviction notices to the residents well in advance.

Oki underscored the grim reality that the structural integrity of roughly eight buildings within the compound was critically compromised, making their demolition an inevitable step to prevent further loss of life.

The heart-wrenching incident at Agboye Estate stands as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for stringent oversight and regulation in urban development. It underscores the devastating consequences of forsaking the safety and well-being of residents, morphing a once-thriving school into a poignant symbol of despair.

Our hearts ache, and our thoughts linger with the victims, their families, and all those who bear the heavy burden of this wholly avoidable tragedy. We can only hope and fervently pray for a future where such calamities are not mourned but, instead, prevented through an unwavering commitment to the safety and welfare of our citizens. It is time for resolute action, sweeping reforms, and a solemn vow that we shall never permit such horrors to revisit our communities.

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