President Muhammadu Buhari has lamented over the frequency of building collapses in the country, saying the incident has become “increasingly embarrassing”.

Buhari lamented following the collapsed three-storey building in the Ebute Metta area of Lagos State on Sunday night.

The President, however, commiserated with families of those who died, sustained injuries, and were affected in the building collapse.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, on Monday.

“The President is pained by this tragic incident,” Adesina stated.

Buhari further saluted the courage and determination of the first responders, national and sub-national emergency agencies in Lagos State, and compassionate Nigerians.

He noted that their immediate actions in the aftermath of the collapse of the three-storey building led to the rescue of several persons, including many children.

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The President urged the relevant state authorities to work closely with professional bodies to put a halt to these unfortunate but preventable incidents.

Buhari, therefore, wished those injured a speedy recovery and prayed for divine assistance in the ongoing search and rescue operations.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had earlier disclosed that the death toll from the three-storey building which collapsed on Sunday night at about 10:56 p.m had risen to eight.

The Zonal Coordinator South-West, NEMA, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, revealed that the deceased persons included five males and three females, adding that 23 people were rescued alive.

He noted that rescue operations were ongoing at the site of the incident in search of occupants trapped under the rubble.

The Star