A three-storey building known as Pentagon Lodge, accommodating students near Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (AE-FUNAI) in Ebonyi State, partially collapsed on Friday, July 25, 2025. The collapse followed visible cracks and trembling detected in the structure, prompting many students to evacuate before the incident occurred, helping to avert any casualties.
The building is a private hostel located outside the university premises. Sources confirmed that at the time of the collapse, many students were either attending lectures or had traveled for the weekend, which minimized the risk of injuries. Authorities, including the Ebonyi State Government and university officials, have expressed relief that no lives were lost in the event.
Following the collapse, the Ebonyi State Government ordered the immediate evacuation of all students from the affected building and secured the site to prevent further danger. Alternative accommodation has been arranged for displaced students within the school environment. A panel of inquiry has been set up to investigate the cause of the collapse and to assess the welfare of the affected students.
Security agencies have been mobilized to ensure compliance with evacuation orders, while the government has committed to a full investigation and integrity test of the building, with initial findings expected by Monday, July 28, 2025.
The incident has raised concerns about building safety and regulation enforcement in the area, with authorities calling for urgent attention to prevent similar occurrences.
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