Students Escape as Four-Storey School Building Collapses in Lagos

Students and teachers of a school in the Ogba area of Lagos State narrowly escaped death on Monday after a four-storey building housing the institution suddenly collapsed moments after they evacuated the structure.

According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred shortly after school activities had begun when signs of structural distress were noticed in the building. Alarmed by unusual cracks and vibrations within the structure, teachers reportedly acted swiftly by evacuating the students from the premises.

Barely minutes after the evacuation was completed, the building reportedly gave way and collapsed, sending panic through the neighbourhood.

Residents and passersby rushed to the scene shortly after the collapse, while emergency responders were alerted. Fortunately, no casualties were reported as the students and school staff had already moved to safety before the structure came down.

Officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and other rescue teams were said to have arrived at the scene to assess the situation and secure the area.

Authorities have yet to confirm the exact cause of the collapse, but structural failure and possible building defects are suspected. Investigations are expected to commence to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Building collapses have remained a recurring concern in Lagos, often attributed to poor construction practices, substandard materials, and inadequate regulatory oversight.

Further details are expected to emerge as emergency officials and relevant government agencies continue their assessment of the site.

Students Escape as Four-Storey School Building Collapses in Lagos

Petrol Jumps to N1,175/Litre as Dangote Refinery Raises Prices Again, Fresh Inflation Fears Loom

The cost of goods and services across Nigeria may rise further after the Dangote Petroleum Refinery increased the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) to N1,175 per litre, marking the third upward price adjustment within a week.

The refinery announced the new price to marketers on Monday, raising the gantry price from N995 per litre announced on Friday, representing an increase of N180, or about 18.1 per cent, within three days.

The price of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) was also revised upward to N1,620 per litre, further raising concerns among businesses that depend heavily on diesel-powered operations.

The latest development came hours after The PUNCH reported that petrol prices could rise again following the refinery’s temporary suspension of petrol sales on Sunday, which had triggered concerns about supply disruptions and potential price adjustments.

A senior official of the refinery, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly, confirmed the new pricing structure.

“Yes, the gantry prices have been adjusted. PMS is now N1,175 per litre while Automotive Gas Oil is N1,620 per litre,” the official said.

“The market has been extremely volatile, and replacement costs have shifted significantly in recent days. These adjustments reflect prevailing market fundamentals and the cost environment we are currently operating in.”

Checks on the industry pricing platform petroleumprice.ng showed that the revised rates had already been updated across depot pricing systems used by downstream operators, signalling a new benchmark price for fuel marketers.

The latest increase represents the third price surge within a week, after petrol prices earlier rose from N774 per litre to N995 per litre.

As a result, retail pump prices in several parts of the country have already crossed the N1,000 per litre mark, with some filling stations selling petrol for as high as N1,200 per litre.

Industry analysts warn that the increase could trigger another wave of price adjustments nationwide, as higher fuel costs typically drive up transportation, logistics, and production expenses, which are ultimately passed on to consumers.

The development also comes amid efforts by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to secure crude oil supplies for the Dangote refinery through third-party international traders in order to sustain domestic refining operations.

However, officials caution that such interventions may not immediately translate into lower pump prices, as the domestic fuel market continues to adjust to prevailing global crude oil costs and foreign exchange pressures.

For millions of Nigerians already grappling with rising living costs, the latest petrol hike is expected to intensify inflationary pressures and further strain household budgets.

Tragedy in Ibadan as Woman, 26, Dies at Boyfriend’s Residence

The Oyo State Police Command has launched a manhunt for a 29-year-old man, identified as Quadri Mohammed, following the death of his 26-year-old girlfriend, Precious Mogaji, in Ibadan, the state capital.

Mogaji was reportedly found dead in the early hours of the day at the entrance of Mohammed’s room in the Oguntula area of Ojoo, Ibadan.

According to the police, the incident was reported at about midnight by a concerned resident who alerted officers at the Ojoo Police Division after noticing the lifeless body of the young woman.

Spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, CSP Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the development, stating that officers were immediately deployed to the scene following the report.

Ayanlade said preliminary investigation revealed that the victim had visited her boyfriend prior to the incident.

“Upon receiving the report, officers from the Ojoo Police Division moved to the scene where the body of the 26-year-old woman was discovered at the entrance of the suspect’s room,” he said.

The police spokesperson explained that the prime suspect, Mohammed, was nowhere to be found when officers arrived at the location, raising suspicion about his involvement in the incident.

He added that the victim’s body was evacuated and deposited at a hospital mortuary for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Ayanlade also clarified that contrary to some reports circulating on social media, the incident occurred in the Ojoo area and not Akobo as earlier claimed.

The police assured residents that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect and unravel the circumstances surrounding the death.

“The command has commenced a full investigation into the matter and a manhunt has been launched to arrest the suspect who is currently at large,” Ayanlade stated.

He further urged members of the public with useful information that could assist the police in tracking down the suspect to report to the nearest police station.

The tragic incident has sparked concern among residents of the area, with many calling for swift justice and improved safety measures to prevent similar occurrences.

Tragedy in Ibadan as Woman, 26, Dies at Boyfriend’s Residence