Following the collapse of a building in Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area, the Anambra State Government has officially closed the site to facilitate a thorough investigation. Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Chijioke Ojukwu, noted that early evidence points toward structural failure as the primary cause. He emphasized that the state will enforce building regulations more aggressively and will penalize developers who ignore safety protocols.
Dr. Okey Ezeobi, the Commissioner for Works, confirmed that technical teams are currently evaluating the site’s integrity to pinpoint the exact failure. Simultaneously, Health Commissioner Dr. Afam Obidike managed the deployment of emergency services, ensuring that victims received immediate care. Local authorities, including Mayor Cpt. Casmir Nwafor (rtd), have urged citizens to adhere strictly to construction standards to avoid future tragedies.
Witness Prince Ifeanyi Ezefunamba reported that residents, mostly students from the Federal Polytechnic Oko, successfully evacuated the building around 10:00 p.m. after detecting ominous cracking sounds. Despite the swift evacuation, one fatality has been confirmed, while three others are recovering at local medical facilities. Various agencies, including NEMA, the Nigeria Police, and the Red Cross, remain involved in ongoing rescue and assessment operations.
