The collapse of Mutmoyinat Central Mosque on Ososo Street in the Mushin area of Lagos has sparked outrage and grief among residents.
The tragic incident, which occurred on Sunday during the asr prayer, claimed the lives of three individuals and left seven others injured.
Eyewitnesses reported that the mosque, a storey building, came down as worshippers were observing prayers.
The Nigeria Police Force, Fire and Rescue Service, and the Lagos Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) swiftly responded to the scene to rescue victims.
However, discrepancies arose regarding the number of casualties.
Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, the permanent secretary of LASEMA, stated that only one person died and five were rescued.
This account was disputed by residents and eyewitnesses who insisted that at least seven people died and over ten were injured.
During a visit to the site, our correspondent observed scavengers searching for metal among the mosque’s rubble.
The mosque was reportedly affected by an ongoing road construction project and the installation of solar-powered streetlights by Bridgevine Resources Limited on Yusuf Street.
Chief Imam Lukman Qasim Olokuta recounted the events leading to the collapse, attributing the disaster to the excavation work that undermined the mosque’s foundation.
“Two weeks ago, those who wanted to dig this gutter came and we told them that many people worshipped here.
They promised us that it wouldn’t affect the building.
But on the day they came (Sunday), the excavator was bigger than the size of the gutter, so it was dug below the foundation of the mosque,” Olokuta said.
‘Our Mosque Did Not Collapse on Its Own’
Olokuta emphasized that the mosque did not collapse on its own but was compromised due to the excavation work.
He also mentioned that the state government had promised to cover the medical bills of some victims.
“Some people are in the hospital and the state government promised to pay the bills,” he said.
“We plead with the government to take away the rubble and allow us to put up a canopy to continue our daily prayers.”
Sheikh Abdulahakkem Goriola expressed sorrow over the incident, noting that some children preparing for Islamic education graduation were among those trapped.
“Yesterday (Sunday), we lost one of our members, a 10-year-old Anifa.
A son of the imam who was leading the prayer before the incident happened is in the hospital,” Goriola added.
Survivors Share Their Stories
At a private hospital where some injured victims, including the imam’s son, Tunde Kazeem, were receiving treatment, Kazeem recounted the harrowing moment when the mosque collapsed.
“At the last portion of the prayer, I saw something black, so I told everybody to rush out, but the pillar fell on my head,” he said.
Gambo Mohammed expressed concern over the missing body of his friend, Usman Ibrahim, who was present during the collapse.
“My friend came to pray and kept the product he sold outside. Now, he is dead but we are yet to find his body.
I am in pain,” Mohammed said.
MURIC Calls for Accountability
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) condoled with the Muslim community of Papa Ajao and urged the Lagos State Government to investigate the incident.
Dr. Busari Jamiu Muhammad, chairman of MURIC in Lagos State, emphasized the need for thorough assessment and compensation.
“It was with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we received the news of the collapsed mosque and the resultant death of three Muslims in Papa Ajao.
We sincerely condole with the families of the victims and the Lagos Muslim Community,” Muhammad said.
He called on the government to ensure adequate compensation for the victims’ families and to reconstruct the mosque.
“The government has a moral and legal duty to reconstruct the mosque within a reasonable period,” he added.
MURIC also prayed for the souls of the deceased and the speedy recovery of the injured.
“May Allah be pleased with them all.
We pray that Allah would accept them as faithful servants and admit them into blissful paradise as martyrs.
We equally pray for the injured; may the Almighty Allah grant them quick recovery,” Muhammad concluded.
