By John Umeh
The Lagos State Government has officially unsealed a popular shopping complex in Lekki, days after it was shut down following the tragic death of a 28-year-old man in the mall’s parking lot. The facility was reopened after investigations by the state authorities confirmed that the mall operators had complied with all required safety protocols and due diligence.
The young man, whose identity has not been officially disclosed, was reportedly found unresponsive in his parked vehicle last week, sparking public outcry and prompting the Lagos State Safety Commission and other regulatory bodies to temporarily seal the premises to investigate possible lapses in safety and emergency response procedures.
Government’s Statement
In a press briefing on Friday, the Director-General of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Lanre Mojola, stated that after thorough inspections, there was no evidence of negligence or breach of safety regulations on the part of the mall management.
“We have concluded a detailed assessment of the premises, including CCTV footage, structural compliance, emergency protocols, and staff readiness. Our findings show that the operators of the facility exercised due diligence in line with safety standards. Therefore, the mall is now permitted to resume full operations,” Mojola said.
He further added that the mall had undergone routine fire and safety drills in recent months, and emergency response mechanisms were in place, although the unfortunate incident was determined to be a medical emergency that occurred within a private vehicle.
Family and Public Reaction
While the reopening has been welcomed by business owners and shoppers, some members of the public and the deceased’s family have expressed concerns about the speed of the investigation. Advocacy groups have also renewed calls for greater public awareness on emergency response procedures in commercial areas.
A relative of the late man, speaking anonymously, said:
“We are still in shock. We want answers, but we understand the government has done what they believe is right. We just hope lessons are learned and such tragedies are prevented in the future.”
Business Community Relieved
The reopening of the mall has brought relief to vendors and retailers who were affected by the sudden closure. Many expressed appreciation to the government for acting swiftly to conclude the inquiry while ensuring public safety remained a top priority.
A store owner in the complex remarked,
“It was a tough few days. Sales were frozen, and we lost revenue. But we support any process that makes our space safer for everyone. We’re just glad to be back.”
Next Steps
The Lagos State Government reiterated its commitment to enforcing compliance with safety regulations across all public and commercial facilities. Officials encouraged businesses to continually review their internal safety protocols and urged the public to report any suspicious or unsafe activities immediately.
As the mall resumes normal operations, security presence has been visibly increased, and staff have been instructed to remain on high alert while the state awaits the coroner’s inquest results on the cause of the young man’s death.
