Rescue operations have intensified at the site of the collapsed three-storey Elite Five Star Lodge in Amokpala, Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, where emergency responders have recovered the body of a female victim believed to be a student.
Officials also confirmed that the body of a young man, also suspected to be a student, has been located beneath the rubble but has yet to be recovered as rescue efforts continue.
The building, which collapsed late on Sunday night, is believed to have accommodated several students and other occupants at the time of the incident.
A joint rescue team made up of 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, other security agencies, and operatives of the Operation Udo Ga-Achi security outfit has remained at the scene.
Using heavy-duty excavators and specialised rescue equipment, emergency workers are carefully clearing debris in a coordinated effort to locate anyone who may still be trapped while ensuring the safety of rescue personnel.
The atmosphere around the scene remains tense as anxious residents, students, and sympathisers gather nearby, hoping for more survivors. Security personnel have cordoned off the area to prevent interference and allow emergency teams unrestricted access as officials continue to account for everyone who was inside the building.
The Acting Executive Secretary of the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mrs. Ndidi Omega, confirmed the recovery of the female victim and disclosed that the body of the young man remains trapped beneath the debris. She also revealed that three injured persons had earlier been rescued and taken to hospital for treatment.
Omega assured that rescue operations would continue until every part of the collapsed structure had been thoroughly searched.
Meanwhile, the police have appealed to residents to remain calm, refrain from spreading unverified information, and allow emergency responders to carry out their duties without obstruction. They assured the public that further updates would be provided as more information becomes available.
