Two people have been confirmed dead, while three others were rescued after a three-storey students’ hostel, Elite Five Star Lodge, collapsed in Amaokpala, near the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The building, which contained about 60 rooms, collapsed on Sunday, July 26, 2026, trapping an unknown number of occupants, mostly students, beneath the rubble and throwing the community into panic.
Eyewitnesses said the building caved in while residents were inside.
A resident, Ifeoma, said a loud noise was heard moments before the collapse.
“We heard a very loud noise before the building collapsed. The noise attracted many residents and students, who rushed to the area to see what had happened.
“Within moments after the loud noise, people started shouting for help as the building came crashing down,” she said.
Videos and photographs from the scene showed rescue workers, security personnel and volunteers searching through the debris as anxious residents and students gathered nearby.
Truth Live News gathered that a joint rescue team comprising the Nigerian Red Cross Society, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Anambra State Fire Service, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies arrived at the scene in the early hours of Monday, July 27, 2026, and immediately commenced rescue operations.
Emergency responders deployed heavy-duty excavators and other specialised equipment to carefully remove the debris while searching for survivors and ensuring the safety of rescue personnel.
The operation continued under tight security as officers cordoned off the area to prevent interference and allow emergency workers unrestricted access.
By 6:55 p.m. on Monday, rescuers recovered the body of another male victim, bringing the death toll to two.
The Acting Executive Secretary of the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, Ndidi Omega, confirmed that one female victim had earlier been recovered dead, while three injured persons were rescued and taken to hospital.
“One female body was recovered, while three persons were rescued and taken to the hospital. The rescue operation will continue until every section of the debris has been thoroughly searched,” Omega said.
The Head of Media and Publicity of the Anambra State Fire Service, Chukwudi Chiketa, also confirmed the development.
“Upon arrival at the scene, fire service personnel immediately commenced search and rescue operations in collaboration with other emergency responders.
“Regrettably, one female victim was recovered from the rubble. She was confirmed dead at the scene, and her body was evacuated and handed over to the appropriate authorities for deposition in a morgue.
“Search and rescue operations are still ongoing to determine whether any other persons remain trapped beneath the debris.
“The cause of the building collapse has yet to be determined and remains under investigation,” Chiketa said.
He urged members of the public to stay away from the area to enable emergency responders to carry out their duties safely.
The spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, appealed for calm, saying officers secured the scene immediately after receiving the distress report.
“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,” Ikenga said.
He added that rescue operations were ongoing to determine whether more victims remained trapped, noting that the total number of casualties had yet to be confirmed.
“Some injured victims have been rescued from the debris and taken to a hospital in Oko, where they are receiving treatment.
“Residents are advised to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information and stay away from the scene to allow emergency responders unrestricted access,” he added.
Meanwhile, NEMA has sealed off the premises of the collapsed building to ensure uninterrupted rescue operations and facilitate investigations into the cause of the collapse.
A NEMA official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the premises were barricaded to prevent students and residents from interfering with the ongoing rescue efforts and investigation.
