On the night of Sunday, July 26, 2026, panic broke out in Amokpala, Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, after a three-storey student hostel collapsed.
The building, identified as Elite Five Star Lodge, is located beside Tonimas Filling Station in the Oko Polytechnic community and accommodates students of Federal Polytechnic Oko.
According to eyewitnesses, a loud bang was heard moments before the multi-storey building came crashing down, triggering panic as students and residents rushed to the scene. 
An eyewitness said screams for help filled the area immediately after the collapse, prompting residents, students, and emergency responders to begin frantic rescue efforts.
Another eyewitness, who identified herself simply as Ifeoma, told Punch: ‘We heard a very loud noise before the building collapsed. The noise attracted many residents and students, who rushed to the scene to see what had happened. And within moments after the loud noise from the building, the occupants inside started shouting for help as the building fell.’
Videos circulating on social media showed volunteers, rescue teams, security personnel, and a large crowd clearing debris in search of survivors.
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Rescue Operations Ongoing
Emergency responders were quickly deployed to the scene. Personnel from the Anambra State Police Command, the Anambra State Fire Service, the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and other security and emergency agencies joined the rescue efforts.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said a police-led joint security team swiftly secured the area and coordinated emergency response efforts to prevent further loss of life.
He stated that rescue operations were ongoing to reach other persons who might still be trapped, adding that the number of casualties or affected persons could not yet be confirmed.
Several injured victims have so far been rescued from the collapsed structure and evacuated to a hospital in Oko, where they are currently receiving medical treatment.
Search-and-rescue teams continue efforts to reach other occupants believed to be trapped under the debris.
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Bottom Line
As of the time of this report, authorities have not confirmed the number of people trapped, injured, or killed, while the cause of the collapse remains unknown.
SP Ikenga urged members of the public, especially residents in the area, to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and stay away from the scene to allow emergency responders unrestricted access to carry out their operations.
‘Further updates will be communicated as more verified information becomes available,’ he added.
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