The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with the Anambra State Government, has sealed off the site of a collapsed three-storey building in Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, as rescue operations and investigations into the incident continue.
The building, identified as Elite Five Star Lodge, is located near the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, and was reportedly occupied predominantly by students.
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NEMA, through its Enugu Zonal Operations Office, stated that the premises had been cordoned off to ensure uninterrupted rescue operations, safeguard public safety, and facilitate ongoing investigations into the cause of the collapse.
The Head of Operations, NEMA Enugu Zonal Office, Mrs Priscilla Madukwe, who is coordinating the rescue effort, said the agency had secured the site with barricades and safety tape to restrict access and prevent interference with ongoing rescue and technical assessment activities. She urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with emergency responders.
The Anambra State Government also announced the immediate closure of the premises pending a comprehensive structural integrity assessment.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Barrister Chijioke Ojukwu, said preliminary findings suggested possible structural failure, noting that the incident would further strengthen the state’s enforcement of physical planning regulations.
He warned that owners and developers of defective or non-compliant buildings would face appropriate sanctions, adding that inspections of ongoing construction projects would be intensified to ensure adherence to approved standards.
The Commissioner for Works, Arc. Okey Ezeobi, disclosed that a team of technical experts had commenced a detailed structural evaluation to determine the exact cause of the collapse.
According to him, the findings and recommendations from the investigation would be implemented to strengthen the state’s building control framework, prevent future occurrences, and ensure that any culpable parties are prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, said emergency medical personnel and ambulances were deployed immediately after the incident to provide treatment for the injured, while the Ministry of Health continued to collaborate closely with emergency response agencies throughout the rescue operation.
He commended the coordinated response of NEMA, state agencies, and other emergency responders, describing it as critical to the rescue efforts and timely medical intervention for victims.
The Mayor of Orumba North Local Government Area, Retired Captain Casmir Nwafor, commended the swift response of the state government and emergency agencies while urging developers, property owners, and residents to strictly adhere to approved building regulations and safety standards.
A joint emergency response team comprising NEMA, the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Red Cross Society, the Anambra State Fire Service, and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) continued search and recovery operations using excavators and other specialised equipment.
The spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said security personnel secured the area immediately after receiving the distress report and urged residents to stay away from the site while rescue operations were ongoing.
The Head of Media and Publicity of the Anambra State Fire Service, Chukwudi Chiketa, confirmed that firefighters were working in collaboration with other emergency responders, adding that the cause of the collapse remained under investigation.
As of Wednesday, authorities confirmed two fatalities, while three injured victims were receiving treatment at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) and St Michael’s Hospital, Oko. Search operations, supported by excavators and other specialised equipment, were ongoing to ensure that no additional victims remained trapped beneath the rubble.
The building reportedly collapsed late at night. Witnesses said occupants had noticed unusual sounds shortly before the structure gave way, prompting a rapid emergency response to the scene.
Authorities have pledged a thorough investigation into the incident and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening building safety standards and enforcing compliance with physical planning regulations across Anambra State.
 and the Anambra State Government have sealed off the site of a collapsed three-storey building in Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, as rescue operations and investigations into the incident continue.){kind=link}