Many Feared Dead, Others Trapped as Three-Storey Students Hostel Collapses in Anambra

An unspecified number of people are feared dead, while several others are believed to be trapped beneath the rubble following the collapse of a three-storey students hostel in Oko, the host community of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The building, identified as Elite Five Star Lodge, reportedly collapsed late on Sunday, July 26, 2026, in the Amokpala area, behind the institution and beside Tonimas Filling Station.

The immediate cause of the collapse was not known as of the time of filing this report.

A rescue operation was launched following the incident, with volunteers working alongside personnel of the Anambra State Police Command, the Anambra State Fire Service and the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to search the debris and reach people who may still be trapped underneath.

Some injured victims have reportedly been pulled from the rubble and evacuated to a hospital in Oko, where they are receiving medical attention.

Bodies recovered from the scene have also reportedly been deposited in a mortuary. However, authorities have yet to establish or officially announce the number of people who died or were affected by the collapse.

The uncertainty over the casualty figure persisted as emergency responders continued their efforts to clear the debris and determine whether more victims were trapped inside the collapsed structure.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in Anambra State, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said police personnel and other security agencies were mobilised to the scene after receiving a distress call.

Ikenga said the security agencies immediately secured the area to prevent further danger and worked with other responders to coordinate rescue efforts.

In a statement, he said the incident involved the collapse of the three-storey building known as Elite Five Star Lodge, located beside Tonimas Filling Station in Amokpala, Orumba North Local Government Area.

“On receipt of the distress report, the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, immediately mobilised to the scene, secured the area to prevent further danger, and coordinated rescue efforts,” the police spokesman said.

According to him, rescue operations were still ongoing as emergency personnel worked to reach people who might remain trapped beneath the debris.

“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 said.

He added that some injured victims had been rescued from the debris and taken to a hospital in Oko for treatment.

“Some injured victims have been rescued from the debris and evacuated to a hospital in Oko, where they are currently receiving medical attention,” he said.

The incident has heightened concerns in the Oko community, where the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, attracts a large population of students and other residents, many of whom live in privately operated lodges and hostels within and around the institution's host community.

As the rescue operation continues, the police have urged residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information about the incident.

The Command also advised members of the public to stay away from the immediate scene of the collapse to give emergency responders unhindered access as they continue the search-and-rescue operation.

Authorities are expected to provide further updates on the casualty figures and the circumstances surrounding the collapse as rescue efforts progress.