The University of Benin has confirmed that no fatalities occurred following the collapse of a storey building in the Ekosodin community, near the university, in the early hours of Saturday.
Three students, who were trapped in the building, have been rescued and are currently receiving medical attention.
According to The PUNCH, the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Benedicta Ehanire, disclosed in a statement that the affected students were in stable condition and recovering in the hospital.
“The three students of the institution who were rescued from the collapsed storey building are in stable condition,” the statement read.
The collapse occurred after heavy rainfall that started on Friday afternoon and persisted into Saturday morning. Rescue efforts, led by the university’s security, fire service departments, and medical teams, alongside local police, succeeded in extracting the trapped students.
The students were first treated at the university’s Health Centre before two of them were transferred to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital for further care.
“The management commends the rescue team for their swift response and gallant efforts,” Ehanire added.
Witnesses reported that the building, located on Ekhator Street, Ekosodin, a neighborhood populated by UNIBEN students who live off-campus, crumbled during the downpour, triggering panic among residents.
One student at the scene, who wished to remain anonymous, mentioned that several occupants of the building sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals.
“We could hear one of the trapped students calling for help from inside the rubble,” said the witness. “The rescue team is still working to locate others who might be trapped.”
The Edo State Fire Service also deployed three trucks to assist in the ongoing rescue mission. “Our personnel are on the scene aiding in the rescue,” said an official identified as Sylvester.
The Dean of Students at UNIBEN has been on-site, overseeing the rescue operations. Edo State Police Command spokesman, Moses Yamu, confirmed the incident and said, “Rescue operations are ongoing, and until they are concluded, we cannot confirm any casualties.”
As search efforts continue, authorities are hopeful that no more victims remain trapped.
