The management of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, has denied reports that any of its students died in the collapse of the Elite Five Star Hostel in Amaokpala, Orumba North Local Government Area, on Sunday night.
In a statement issued on Monday, the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Dr Oguegbu Udoka, said the collapsed building was a privately owned hostel located in Amaokpala, outside the polytechnic’s premises, and was occupied by both students and non-students.
Udoka stated that no Federal Polytechnic, Oko, student had been confirmed dead in the incident, adding that the two persons believed to be trapped beneath the rubble were reportedly not students of the institution.
He noted that most students had already vacated the campus after completing their second-semester examinations before the building collapsed.
The spokesman added that the Rector, Dr Chioma Awuzie, visited the scene on Monday alongside other school officials to assess the situation, while officials of the Anambra State Government joined emergency responders in the rescue operation.
The institution urged the public to disregard reports claiming students died in the collapse, assuring that it would continue to monitor developments and provide updates.
Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency has sealed off the collapsed building as rescue efforts continue.
The Acting Executive Secretary of the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, Ndidi Omega, confirmed that the body of a female victim had been recovered from the rubble, while the body of a young man was believed to remain trapped beneath the debris.
She added that three injured victims were rescued earlier and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Emergency workers, supported by heavy-duty excavators and other equipment, continued the search operation on Monday, while security personnel cordoned off the area to allow uninterrupted rescue efforts and ensure the safety of responders.
Omega said the operation would continue until every part of the collapsed structure had been thoroughly searched.
