The management of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, in Anambra State has dismissed reports claiming that a large number of its students were trapped after a building collapsed near the institution.
According to the institution, the incident did not occur on its premises, and no student has been confirmed dead.
The Polytechnic said the collapsed structure is a privately owned lodge located in Amaokpala, a neighbouring community to Oko town, and not within the institution. It added that the building, known as the Elite Five Star Lodge, accommodates both students and non-students.
In a statement issued on Monday, the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Dr Oguegbu Celestine Udoka, said reports circulating on social media were misleading and exaggerated.
“Attention of the Management of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, has been drawn to various reports and narratives circulating on social media concerning the unfortunate collapse of a multi-storey building in Amaokpala, a neighbouring community to Oko town, Anambra State,” he said.
He added, “For the avoidance of doubt, the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, wishes to state categorically that the collapsed building is not located within the premises of the Polytechnic. The incident occurred at Amaokpala, a neighbouring community, and involved a privately owned lodge occupied by both students and non-students.”
Udoka also clarified that the incident happened after students had completed their second-semester examinations, with many of them already leaving their hostels to travel home for the ongoing short break.
He said, “Contrary to some misleading reports circulating on social media, the incident did not occur inside the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, neither were all the occupants of the building students of the Polytechnic.”
The institution further stated that, as of the time of issuing the statement, no student of the Polytechnic had been confirmed dead.
“The Polytechnic further wishes to clarify that, as of the time of filing this report, no student of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, has been confirmed dead, and no life has been lost in the unfortunate incident,” the statement added.
The Polytechnic disclosed that its Rector, Dr Chioma Irene Awuzie, visited the scene as early as 6:36 a.m. on Monday to assess the situation and ascertain the welfare of any affected students. She was accompanied by the President of the Students’ Union Government, Giant Comrade Anuluonye Ifechukwu Joseph, the institution’s Public Relations Officer, the Dean of Students’ Affairs, the Chief Security Officer and other members of staff.
It added that the Anambra State Commissioner for Works, Okey Ezeobi, and the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Ben Obidike, also visited the scene to monitor the situation and support the ongoing rescue efforts.
According to the Polytechnic, several occupants had already been rescued and taken to a nearby hospital, where they were receiving treatment for injuries described as not life-threatening. It
that about two people, who were reportedly not students of the institution, were still believed to be trapped under the rubble as rescue workers continued their search.
“The institution also commends the emergency responders, government officials, local volunteers, security personnel, and other individuals involved in the rescue operation. Further updates will be provided as credible information becomes available,” Udoka said.
Meanwhile, eyewitnesses said three students were rescued after the three-storey building collapsed in the early hours of Monday, trapping an unknown number of occupants.
One resident, identified simply as Ifeoma, recalled the frightening moment the building came down.
“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,” she said.
“And within moments after the loud noise from the building, the occupants inside started shouting for help as the building fell.”
Officials of the Anambra State Fire Service, the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency and other emergency responders were seen at the scene carrying out rescue operations.
