The Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, has dismissed reports claiming that some of its students died in the collapse of a three-storey building near the institution.

In a statement issued by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Dr Oguegbu Celestine Udoka, the Polytechnic clarified that the building, located in Amaokpala, was a privately owned lodge and not part of the school’s facilities.

Udoka explained that the building accommodated both students and non-students, adding that no student of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, had been confirmed dead in the incident.

“No student of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, has been confirmed dead. The two persons believed to be trapped in the rubble are reportedly not students of the institution,” the statement said.

The institution noted that most students had already vacated the campus after completing their second-semester examinations before the incident occurred.

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The Rector, Dr Chioma Irene-Awuzie, visited the scene alongside other officials of the institution to assess the situation and monitor ongoing rescue efforts.

Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, has cordoned off the area as government emergency responders continue search, rescue and evacuation operations.

The Polytechnic urged members of the public to disregard unverified reports about the incident, assuring that it would continue to monitor developments and provide updates as rescue operations progress.