We were in afternoon prayers when central mosque collapsed on us

CITIZENS COMPASS –A male worshiper at the collapsed Papa Ajao Central Mosque in Mushin area of Lagos, has narrated his narrow escape from the scene of the incident.

The worshiper in a viral video on Sunday, said he escaped being trapped with his child, noting that Zuhr prayer was ongoing when the mosque collapsed on the worshippers.

Zuhr is an Islamic prayer offered at about 1.45p.m

According to him, many worshippers were trapped underneath the rubbles at the time he was making the video.

The male worshiper who was jittery but grateful to Almighty God for saving their lives said the road beside the mosque was undergoing rehabilitation when the excavator hit the foundation of the mosque and the rest was history. He said,

“So, Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem, Alhamdu Lillahi Rabbil Alamin. An n run low ni mosalasi Papa Ajao (We were in the mosque praying at Papa Ajao) and the road beside the mosque was undergoing rehabilitation when the excavator hit the foundation of the mosque which collapsed on all of us.

“Only God saved my child and me. Some people are still trapped underneath the rubble.

Papa Ajao Central Mosque, we were conducting Zuhr prayers when the building collapsed on us.
“It was a narrow escape for us.’

Citizens Compass reported that the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), confirmed that three persons were dead while seven others were injured when the mosque collapsed on the worshippers.

The incident occurred at the Yusuf Street area of Papa Ajao when an excavator clearing the road recklessly hit a mosque which collapsed on the spot.

LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the incident occurred before 2 p.m.

According to his updates “Upon arrival at the scene at 01:40 pm, a storey building was found to have collapsed.

“Preliminary investigation carried out upon arrival at the scene revealed that an excavator clearing the road recklessly hit a mosque (a story building) by the roadside which resulted in the mosque collapsing as prayer was about to commence.

“Four victims were immediately rushed to the hospital. A total of 10 people were trapped beneath the rubble.

“Search and Rescue of the victims trapped under the rubbles under the supervision of the PS was conducted with the aid of the Agency’s heavy-duty equipment Crane, Hiab, and an excavator.

“One adult was retrieved dead while the others received pre-hospital care on the scene from the Agency’s Pre-Hospital Care Unit. One with serious injuries was transferred to hospital.

“Responders at the scene of the incident include the Agency’s response team led by the PS, LRU Fire unit, Lagos State Fire Service, LASPA, LASBCA, NEMA, Nigeria Police, LNSC, FRSC, and LASAMBUS.”
In his final update, Osanyintolu said, “Following an extensive exercise, the final casualty report on the above incident is that 3 fatalities and 7 casualties varying in severity.

The affected buildings have been leveled to ground zero.

“Responders at the scene of the incident include the Agency’s response team led by the PS, LRU Fire unit, Lagos State Fire Service, LASBCA, NEMA, Nigeria Police, LNSC, FRSC, and LASAMBUS.
“Operation concluded.”