Tragedy struck in the early hours of Monday as a three-storey building serving as a student hostel collapsed in Oko, Anambra State, trapping an unknown number of occupants beneath the rubble.
The building, known as *Elite Five Star Lodge* and located beside Tonimas Filling Station in Amokpala, Oko, Orumba North LGA, came down while students were reportedly inside.
Eyewitnesses described chaos and panic as residents and passers-by rushed to the scene.
“We heard a very loud noise before the building collapsed. The noise attracted many residents and students, who rushed to the scene to see what had happened,” said Ifeoma, a resident who spoke to our correspondent.
“And within moments after the loud noise from the building, the occupants inside started shouting for help as the building fell.”
Videos and photographs circulating online showed a large crowd gathered at the site as rescue workers, security personnel and volunteers scrambled through the debris searching for survivors.
Officials of the *Anambra State Fire Service*, *Anambra State Emergency Management Agency*, and other emergency responders have been mobilized to the scene.
The spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, *SP Tochukwu Ikenga*, confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday. He said a Police-led Joint Security Team immediately secured the area and coordinated rescue efforts alongside other agencies.
“Some injured victims have been rescued from the debris and evacuated to a hospital in Oko, where they are currently receiving medical attention,” Ikenga stated.
He added that rescue operations are ongoing to reach other persons who might still be trapped, but the exact number of casualties or affected persons could not yet be confirmed.
The police urged residents to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and stay away from the scene to allow emergency responders unrestricted access.
“Further updates will be communicated as more verified information becomes available,” Ikenga said.
The cause of the collapse has not been officially determined. Elite Five Star Lodge is popular among students in the Oko area, home to Federal Polytechnic Oko.