Several students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) have found themselves trapped as a storey building collapsed during heavy rainfall in Benin City, Edo State, on Saturday morning, September 14.
According to report, the building, located on Ekhator Street in Ekosodin, a popular residential area for students, caved in following the torrential downpour.
Reports from the scene indicate that the students were in their rooms when the incident occurred, catching them off guard.
Ekosodin, a community that borders the UNIBEN campus, is home to many off-campus students who rent apartments due to its proximity to the school.
The building collapse has raised serious concerns about the safety and structural integrity of buildings in the area, especially those occupied by students.
The incident occurred during a heavy downpour that began in the early hours of the day.
Emergency services and local authorities were quickly notified and rushed to the scene to begin the search and rescue operations.
While the number of students trapped inside the rubble remains unconfirmed, it is feared that several residents might still be unaccounted for.
Eyewitnesses at the scene expressed shock and fear, noting that the building had shown signs of structural weakness before the incident. “We have always known this building was not safe, but we didn’t expect it to collapse so suddenly,” one resident remarked. Many are now calling for stricter building regulations in the area, particularly in student-populated neighborhoods like Ekosodin.
As rescue efforts continue, the community is anxiously waiting for updates, hoping for positive news about those still trapped under the debris.
Meanwhile, as at the time of filling this report, no official statement has been released by the management of University of Benin and Edo State Government.
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks posed by substandard buildings in the area, further urging authorities to take action to prevent future occurrences.
