"It was God's Mercy that I survived"– Artisan rescued from Ikoyi Building Collapse Recounts Experience

While some people could not come out alive of the Ikoyi building collapse that happened on Monday in Lagos, some of the survivors are singing hosanna to the Lord for His mercy and love. One of them is a 32 years old man simply called Mr Lateef. He said he had practically given up hope of living until the grace of God located him.

According to The PUNCH, it was observed that the impact of the building collapse affected Lateef’s left eye, chest, back and right leg. The 32-year-old artisan said he never believed he could have another shot at life after he found himself trapped in the rubble.

He said, “It was God’s mercy that I survived. I begged him for mercy because I thought the end had come. I had concluded that I would die and decided to say final prayers so that I would make heaven.”

Recounting his horrendous experience under the debris, Lateef said he was in a bent position for several hours and became so weak that he nearly passed out.

He added, “There was a lighter with me. I turned it on and saw dead bodies everywhere. Bricks had fallen on some people and they were struggling to breathe. It was a horrible way to die and I don’t wish it for my enemies. I was touching the heads of dead people. With this experience, I will never work in high-rise buildings again.”

The PUNCH correspondent also entered another ward where Oduntan and three other survivors were admitted.

Recounting his own experience Mr. Oduntan told Punch correspondent that it was only the grace of God he escaped. And true to it, one would hardly notice Oduntan was a victim as there was no visible mark of injuries on his body. “It was the grace of God,” he said, beaming with excitement.

Oduntan, who resides in the Agege area of the state, said he started working at the site four weeks ago as a labourer, adding that he and few others were eating in the backyard of the building when the tragedy struck.

He recounted, “We were all confused and ran to hide somewhere. I hid near a container. Everywhere was cloudy and dark; we couldn’t see anything. I heard the sound of something crashing towards the spot where I hid and shifted my body. A brick fell on my right hand. I struggled to pull it off and came out myself. It was just God that saved me. Everything happened within seconds.