By Precious Igbonwelundu and Okwy lroegbu-Chikezie
Emergency workers yesterday afternoon recovered four more bodies from the rubble of the collapsed seven-storey building in Lagos.
These recoveries which occurred between 10:25am and 2:30pm, brought the death toll to six.
The building located at Oba Oniru Street in Lekki was under construction when it fell around 3:30am on Sunday, trapping at least six artisans.
While two of the trapped persons, including a worker who raised the alarm to save other occupants, were confirmed dead on Sunday, rescuers remained resolute in the search of others.
The bodies were found when rescuers began evacuation of debris, said Lagos Office Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye.
About 30 persons jumped to safety before the building, which started collapsing from the penthouse, completely caved in.
According to Farinloye, the first body to be recovered on Monday was an elderly man, adding that all the others were also men.
Read Also; ‘Artisan saved 30 others in Lagos collapsed building’
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu also confirmed that six bodies have been recovered in all.
“Four more bodies have been extricated from the rubble bringing the fatalities to six. The painstaking process is ongoing,” he said.
On the heels of building collapses, consequent loss of lives and properties in the state, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Idris Salako, resigned his appointment yesterday.
Salako’s resignation was announced in a statement by Information and Strategy Commissioner, Gbenga Omotoso.
In the statement, Omotoso spoke of plans by the government to restructure the ministry and its agencies.
He said: “Governor Sanwo-Olu thanks the commissioner for his services to the state and wishes him success in his future endeavours.
“The governor however, warns all players in the sector to respect the law or face the consequences of any indiscretion, no matter who the perpetrators are.” the statement read in part.
Observers however, believe the sack came a bit late as there has been complaints from the public against his ministry and parastatals under him for carelessness and not playing by the rules