Residents of Elite Five Star Lodge, a three-storey building near the Tonimas Filling Station in Amokpala, Oko, have blamed the facility’s owner and caretaker for the structural failure that occurred on Sunday night. The students claim they had repeatedly reported signs of decay, but their warnings were dismissed.
Students shared voice messages revealing that management prioritized collecting rent and various fees over building maintenance. They alleged that the owners were aggressive when demanding payments, frequently locking students out of their rooms for minor debts, even during critical examination periods. One female resident described the management as uncaring, noting that the caretaker ceased communication after she attempted to report structural issues.
The affected students are now calling for legal action, demanding that both the landlord and caretaker face arrest for their failure to address the hazardous living conditions. While official reports on casualties remain pending, local sources indicate that at least one person has been confirmed dead, with others left displaced and grieving.
SP Tochukwu Ikenga, spokesperson for the state police, confirmed that rescue teams arrived at the site shortly after the 11 p.m. collapse. Search and recovery efforts continued through Monday, with police working to account for all residents who may still be trapped in the debris.
