Survivors of the tragic mosque collapse in Papa Ajao, Mushin, have recounted their near-death experiences, shedding light on the harrowing moments when the structure partially caved in during afternoon prayers.
Kazeem Babatunde, one of the survivors currently receiving treatment at Mukaz Convalescent Health Centre, Mushin, expressed his terror when the Mosjid Mutimain Mosque began to crumble. “I was shocked when the building started to collapse,” Babatunde, known locally as Baba Jeje, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). “I had to ensure everyone ran for safety because I was the second in command after the Imam. As you can see, I got injured in the head and leg. I just got stitched. I thank God for life. Though, I am so sad about the loss of the 10-year-old girl.”
The collapse, which occurred at 64 Shotinoye Street around 1:10 p.m. on Sunday, almost claimed the life of Qasim Keshinro, the mosque’s chairman. Keshinro, who was inside the building at the time, explained that construction work near the mosque had compromised its structure. “I saw that the construction workers clearing the gutter had touched part of the mosque building. When I got back inside the mosque, I discovered that the tiles of the building were already falling apart. By the time we wanted to take the other exit, the building partially collapsed right in front of our eyes. I was hit in the back and right now I am not feeling fine. We only had a small place to escape,” he recounted.
The disaster claimed the life of a 10-year-old girl and severely injured two others, including a person who lost a leg. “We had a case of one dead, two seriously injured alongside so many people,” Keshinro said. He also criticized the delayed response from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, noting that the Mushin Local Government Chairman was the first to arrive and offer support.
In the aftermath, Keshinro appealed for government assistance to build a new mosque for the community. “This is the only central mosque, and we don’t have anywhere to pray again. We are appealing for them to clear the rubble and consider giving us another place to pray,” he said.
The Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Sulaimon Oluwatoyin, visited the site to offer condolences and stressed the importance of safety. “What we call safety cannot be compromised. We need to follow safety rules and regulations as a people and as Muslims. What we are seeing is a lack of care and negligence. I am appealing to people to take responsibility because it is the development of the people and the community. This is a sad incident, and we also appeal to our people to be prayerful and law-abiding. We pray that Almighty Allah be with the bereaved,” he stated.
As the community mourns the tragic loss and begins the recovery process, the call for improved safety measures and swift governmental support remains urgent.