Anambra Hostel Collapse Leaves Three Dead as Questions Mount Over Ignored Safety Warnings
A three-storey student lodge in Oko, Anambra State, collapsed late Sunday night, resulting in at least one confirmed fatality and multiple individuals injured or feared trapped. Rescue operations are ongoing amid allegations that the landlord had issued a quit notice due to structural defects, which was reportedly ignored by the caretaker.
A three-storey student hostel known as Elite Five Star Lodge has collapsed in Amokpala, Oko, in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, leaving at least three people dead and several others injured.
Emergency responders are continuing search and rescue operations at the scene, with officials confirming that victims, believed to be students, have been recovered from the rubble. Rescue efforts involving multiple agencies remain ongoing as authorities work to determine whether more people are trapped beneath the debris.
Fresh revelations from survivors indicate that the landlord had reportedly ordered tenants to vacate the building after noticing structural defects and planned repair works. However, the hostel's caretaker allegedly ignored the directive and rented out apartments to new occupants earlier this year. One survivor narrowly escaped death after fleeing from the third floor moments before the building gave way.
Anambra State Government officials have visited the site and promised a thorough investigation into the cause of the collapse. The tragedy has renewed concerns over the safety of student accommodation in Oko, a major university community, where poor building standards and weak regulatory enforcement continue to pose serious risks.
Police have urged residents to avoid spreading unverified information and allow emergency workers unhindered access as rescue operations continue.