TB Joshua: Death Toll Rises To 80 As Lagos Says No Plan To Shutdown Church

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Wednesday, September 17th, 2014

By Ayo Balogun

The death toll in the six storeys building that collapsed at the Synagogue Church of All Nation, Lagos has hit 80, says the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA.

At least, 17 dead bodies were removed from the rubbles on Wednesday to add to the 63 dead bodies removed previous, bringing it to 80 the number of death so far, while rescue operation continues.

NEMA’s spokesperson, Ibrahim Farinloye told African Examiner that the death toll is now 80 as at Wednesday evening, saying more dead bodies are still expected to be removed from the rubbles.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government says it has no plan to seal synagogue church until investigation is concluded.

Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tpl. Olutoyin Ayinde has reiterated the position of the Ministry, that the Six- floor Guest House of the Synagogue Church for All Nation that collapsed on Friday 12th of September, 2014 at Ikotun- Egbe, a Lagos suburb did not have building approval.

He expressed his sincere condolences and sympathy with those that lost their loved ones and those that were injured in the unfortunate incident. He said the Government and indeed the Ministry is particularly saddened that innocent lives were lost.

The Commissioner clarified that no plans were in the offing to take over the collapsed structure site until thorough and detailed investigation as to the cause(s) of the collapse has been concluded.

He stressed that Government does not arbitrarily take over properties when investigation is still on-going.

Ayinde noted that government is conducting a preliminary investigation into the cause(s) of the collapse and would leave no stone unturned and if there is any violation of relevant planning law, residents are assured that government would take appropriate action.

To this end, a Team of Engineers from the Ministry and other State Government Agencies are taking samples from the foundation and materials from the wreckage of the building for detailed analysis and testing to ascertain the structural integrity of the building.

On the veracity of the “Strange Plane Theory”, alleged to have dangerously flown low over the building fifty minutes before the collapse, the Ministry had submitted the video clips, as provided by the Church to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) with the coordinate of the collapsed site for investigation and professional comment.