Rita Enemuru, Reporting
A desperate search-and-rescue operation is under way in Anambra State this morning after a three-storey student hostel collapsed late on Sunday night, leaving an unknown number of occupants feared trapped beneath the rubble.
The private accommodation, known as Elite Five Star Lodge, caved in at Amokpala, Oko, near the Federal Polytechnic Oko campus in Orumba North Local Government Area.
The building, situated close to the Tonimas Filling Station, reportedly gave way without warning, sending panic rippling through the surrounding community.
Witnesses said cries for help could be heard emanating from beneath the debris as residents and fellow students scrambled to raise the alarm.
Emergency responders have since descended on the scene, with personnel from the Anambra State Police Command, the Fire Service, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and other security agencies coordinating search-and-rescue efforts.
Several injured victims have been pulled from the wreckage and rushed to a hospital in Oko for urgent medical care.
However, rescue teams continue to battle against time to reach others still believed to be trapped under the collapsed structure.
Authorities have yet to confirm the exact number of casualties or those still unaccounted for, with operations ongoing at the time of this report.
Confirming the incident, the Anambra State Police Command spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said a joint security team had secured the area and was working to ensure rescue efforts proceeded without hindrance.
He appealed to residents to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and stay clear of the scene to allow emergency workers unimpeded access.
Ikenga added that further updates would be provided as more verified details become available.
