At least eight people, including an infant girl, have died after a three-storey shopping complex collapsed in the Alakija area along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway on Thursday.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said 26 victims were rescued alive as emergency responders continued search and rescue operations at the scene.

LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the building, which housed shops and business premises, collapsed earlier in the day, prompting a multi-agency rescue operation involving LASEMA, the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, and other emergency agencies.

Heavy-duty equipment, including excavators, was deployed to aid rescue efforts amid reports that more victims could still be trapped beneath the rubble.

Providing an update, Oke-Osanyintolu confirmed that eight bodies had been recovered while 26 people were rescued alive. He urged residents to stay away from the area to allow emergency workers unhindered access as operations continue.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service also confirmed the incident, assuring that emergency responders remain on site to rescue any remaining victims and secure the affected area.