More than 100 tenants, including students from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, were reportedly rescued from a building collapsed in Awka, Anambra State, on Wednesday night. 

The Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA) had forcefully evacuated the occupants earlier, after noticing severe structural distress and cracking.

An eyewitness reported that the collapse occurred around 10:15 pm. 

“I was sleeping nearby when it happened. I immediately came out and started making calls to check if anyone was trapped, but thankfully, no one was,” the witness said.

The building housed not only students but also businessmen, women, and their families. ACTDA’s Public Relations Officer, Ukpa Ewa, stated the building had 96 rooms, with some students sharing rooms with up to five people.

ACTDA’s Deputy Commandant of Rapid Response, Henry Uchechukwu Nabolisa, attributed the collapse to multiple soakaways around the building. He emphasized the importance of residents reporting any signs of structural distress for prompt intervention. 

Fortunately, no lives were lost, and no injuries were reported.