Anambra Hostel Horror: Three Dead, Many Trapped in Building Collapse; Landlord Knew of Defects

Emergency rescue operatives are continuing a painstaking search and rescue operation at the site of a collapsed three-storey student lodge in Amokpala, Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, which occurred late on Sunday night. The building, identified as Elite Five Star Lodge and located beside Tonimas Filling Station in the university community, housed several students and other occupants.

Initial reports on Monday confirmed the recovery of the body of a female victim, believed to be a student. Additionally, the body of a young man, also thought to be a student, has been located beneath the rubble, though not yet retrieved. While Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) officials confirmed these two cases and that three injured individuals had been taken to the hospital earlier, sources from SaharaReporters indicated that at least three bodies were recovered from the debris. The Anambra State Police Command, however, stated that rescue operations were ongoing and that the number of casualties could not yet be officially confirmed.

The tragedy has prompted a multi-agency rescue effort involving the Nigerian Red Cross Society, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Anambra State Fire Service, the Nigeria Police Force, other security agencies, and operatives of the Operation Udo Ga-Achi security outfit. Emergency workers are utilizing heavy-duty excavators and other rescue equipment to carefully remove debris in a coordinated effort to locate anyone still trapped, while ensuring the safety of personnel. The atmosphere at the scene remains tense, with anxious residents, students, and sympathizers observing the operation. Security personnel have cordoned off the area to ensure unrestricted access for emergency teams.

Fresh details emerging from the site allege that the landlord had previously issued a quit notice to tenants due to visible structural defects, instructing them to vacate for repairs. However, survivors claimed that the caretaker allegedly ignored this directive and proceeded to rent out apartments to new occupants in January. One survivor recounted narrowly escaping death by fleeing from the third floor moments before the complete collapse. Officials from the Anambra State Government, including the Commissioner for Physical Planning, Mr. Chijioke Ojukwu, the Commissioner for Works, Mr. Okey Ezeobi, and the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, have visited the scene and affirmed that investigations would be conducted to determine both the immediate and remote causes of the collapse.

This incident has renewed significant concerns over the safety of student hostels and residential buildings in Oko, a major higher education hub in Anambra State. Building collapses are a recurring tragedy across Nigeria, frequently attributed by experts to factors such as structural defects, poor construction standards, the use of substandard materials, weak regulatory enforcement, and a failure to comply with approved building specifications. The police have appealed to residents to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and stay away from the disaster scene to allow emergency responders unrestricted access.