The management of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) on Saturday said no live was lost in the building collapse that occurred in the early hours of today at Ekosodin as three trapped students had been rescued.
In a statement made available to journalists by the Public Relations Officer of the institution, Benedicta Ehanire, said the rescued students are recovering in the hospital.
The statement reads, “Management of the University of Benin says the three students of the Institution who were rescued from the collapsed storey building at Ekosodin neighbouring community are in stable condition in the hospital.
“Reports indicated that the building, where the students resided, collapsed saturday morning following the down pour which began on Friday afternoon, and that no life was lost.
“Rescue team comprising staff of the Security and Fire service departments, the Health Centre, students as well as the Police succeeded in rescuing the students who were first taken to the institution’s Health Centre before two of them were later taken to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.
“Management wishes the affected students speedy recovery and commends the rescue team for their gallantry.
When contacted earlier on Saturday, the spokesperson of the Edo State Police Command, Moses Yamu, confirmed the incident.
He said, “Rescue operations are still ongoing and until that is concluded, we cannot confirm whether there are death casualties or not.
“As soon as I have the report, we will let you know,” he said.
Collaborating the position of the University management, the Edo State Government said the emergency responders have rescued all trapped students in the collapsed 3-storey building.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie, the state government noted that there are no fatalities and investigation is ongoing to unravel the immediate and remote cause of the incident.
According to him: “The government confirms the collapse of a three-storey building in Ekhator Street, off Ekosodin Road, beside the University of Benin, Ugbowo, Benin City.
“A rescue team was deployed to the site of the incident and all the trapped students have been rescued alive and are receiving medical attention.”
He added: “Emergency Responders including the Edo State Fire Service and officials from the Edo State Command and Control Centre deployed to the scene of the accident have confirmed that there are no fatalities from the incident as at this time.
“Excavators and other heavy equipment are on site to clear the rubble and also remove the other parts of the distressed building.
“The government has ordered a full investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the collapse as well as an audit of other buildings in the area to ascertain their status.
“The state government has stationed officials at the site to provide updates on the incident.
“We appreciate the gallant work of the emergency responders and the good Samaritans in the community who provided assistance in managing the situation.”
