A section of Pentagon Lodge, a three-storey building accommodating some students of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo (AE-FUNAI) in Ebonyi State, has partially collapsed. The incident occurred on Friday afternoon, sending shockwaves through the university community.
*Eyewitnesses Describe the Scene*
According to eyewitnesses, the building had developed cracks prior to the collapse, prompting some students to vacate the premises. The collapse occurred at a time when many students were in class for lectures, which may have prevented a higher number of casualties.
*No Casualties Reported, But Property Damaged*
Fortunately, no casualties have been confirmed, although several students' belongings are believed to still be inside the building, particularly those who had travelled out of town. The university's Public Relations Officer, Elom Iyke Ubochi, confirmed the incident to DAILY POST in Abakaliki on Saturday. "From what I've heard so far, there's no casualty. It happened during school hours; students were in school for lectures and other activities, but unfortunately, some of their properties were affected," he said.
*University Officials Respond*
Ubochi expressed gratitude that the collapse occurred during lecture hours, implying that many students would have been out of the building and in classes, potentially minimising casualties. He urged affected students to report to the Dean of Student Affairs to formalise their losses. "We're expecting any student affected by the incident that happened in the private accommodation outside the school environment to make a formal report to the Dean of Student Affairs to let the management know, but so far, no human casualty," he said.
*Investigation Underway*
The incident is currently under investigation, and the university management is working to determine the cause of the collapse. As the situation unfolds, students and parents are anxiously awaiting more information about the incident and the potential impact on the university community.
*Concerns About Student Safety*
The collapse of Pentagon Lodge has raised concerns about student safety in private accommodations around the university. Many students and parents are calling for increased scrutiny of private hostels and buildings to ensure that they meet safety standards.
*Support for Affected Students*
The university management has assured that it will provide support to affected students. "We'll do everything possible to ensure that students who have lost property or have been affected in any way receive the necessary support," Ubochi said. As the university community comes to terms with the incident, many are hoping for a swift resolution and a return to normalcy.
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