A major rescue operation is underway in Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, after a three-storey student hostel identified as Elite Five Star Lodge collapsed, leaving an unspecified number of occupants feared trapped beneath the rubble.
The building, located beside Tonimas Filling Station in the Amokpala area of Oko, reportedly caved in during the early hours of Monday. The hostel is believed to house students, and the incident sparked panic among residents and passers-by who rushed to the scene after hearing a loud crash.
Eyewitnesses said the building collapsed while several occupants were inside, although the exact number of people trapped or affected could not be immediately confirmed.
One resident, identified simply as Ifeoma, said residents were awakened by a loud noise before discovering that the building had collapsed.
Emergency responders, including the Anambra State Police Command, the Anambra State Fire Service, and the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), were promptly deployed to the scene to coordinate rescue efforts.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the police-led Joint Security Team had secured the area and was working with other emergency agencies to rescue those trapped beneath the debris.
According to Ikenga, some injured victims have already been pulled from the rubble and taken to a hospital in Oko for treatment, while efforts continue to locate and rescue any other occupants who may still be trapped. However, authorities have yet to confirm the number of casualties or survivors.
The police appealed to residents to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information and stay away from the disaster site to allow emergency workers unhindered access to carry out life-saving operations.
As rescue operations continue, authorities said further updates would be provided as more verified information becomes available. The cause of the building collapse has not yet been established, and investigations are expected to commence after the rescue operation concludes.
