BREAKING: Many Causalities As Three-Storey Student Lodge Collapses
Several people are feared trapped beneath the rubble after a three-storey student lodge collapsed late Sunday night in Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, prompting an emergency rescue operation by a police-led joint security team, firefighters and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
While the rescue operation is ongoing, authorities said the number of casualties remains unknown as residents, students and emergency responders reportedly surrounded the collapsed building, while volunteers joined rescue teams in removing debris in search of survivors.
The building, identified as Elite Five Star Lodge, is located beside Tonimas Filling Station in the Amokpala area of Oko, a community that hosts the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, and is home to many student hostels.
Eyewitnesses said a loud bang was heard moments before the multi-storey structure suddenly caved in, triggering panic as students and residents rushed to the scene.
Confirming the incident in a statement on Monday, the Anambra State Police Command said a police-led joint security team immediately mobilised to the scene after receiving a distress call.
Police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said officers secured the area to prevent further danger and coordinated rescue efforts alongside other security agencies.
According to Ikenga, the Anambra State Fire Service and the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) also responded promptly and joined the ongoing rescue operation.
“The Anambra State Police-led joint security team assures ongoing rescue operations following the late-night incident on Sunday, 26th July 2026, involving the collapse of a three-storey building known as Elite Five Star Lodge, located beside Tonimas Filling Station, Amokpala, Oko, in Orumba North Local Government Area of the State,” Ikenga stated.
The police said some injured victims had already been rescued from the rubble and taken to a hospital in Oko, where they are receiving treatment.
However, authorities said rescue operations were still underway to locate others who might remain trapped beneath the collapsed structure.
“The Command notes that rescue operations are ongoing to reach other persons who may still be trapped as the number of casualties or affected persons cannot yet be confirmed,” Ikenga stated.
The police urged residents to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and stay away from the scene to allow emergency responders unhindered access.
As of the time of filing this report, officials had not confirmed the number of people trapped, injured, or killed in the collapse, while the cause of the incident remained unknown.
