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The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has suspended search and rescue operations at the site of a collapsed three-storey building in Amaokpala, Anambra State, after clearing about half of the rubble.
In an update posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday evening, the agency said rescue operations would resume on Tuesday as emergency workers continue searching for anyone who may still be trapped beneath the remaining debris.
Incident Update – 18:30 hrs
The search and rescue operation at the site of the collapsed three storey building in Amaokpala has been suspended for the day following intensive rescue efforts by all responding agencies.
All rescue equipment has been safely shut down, and… pic.twitter.com/rTrurqDoMR
— NEMA Nigeria (@nemanigeria) July 27, 2026
According to the agency, approximately 50 per cent of the debris had been removed, marking significant progress in the emergency response.
“The search and rescue operation at the site of the collapsed three-storey building in Amaokpala has been suspended for the day following intensive rescue efforts by all responding agencies.
“All rescue equipment has been safely shut down, and operations will resume tomorrow to continue the search for any victims who may still be trapped beneath the remaining debris.
“At least 50 per cent of the debris was successfully cleared during the operation, representing significant progress in the ongoing emergency response,” NEMA said.
NEMA also said its Head of Operations, Priscilla Madukwe, commended all agencies involved for their dedication and professionalism throughout the exercise.
She urged emergency responders and other stakeholders to remain on standby and maintain the same level of cooperation when operations resume, noting that the coordinated multi-agency effort would continue until the rescue mission is completed.
The building, a three-storey student hostel under construction, collapsed on Monday in Amaokpala, Orumba North Local Government Area, prompting fears that several people were trapped.
Emergency responders, including NEMA, the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, were deployed to the scene.
Meanwhile, the management of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, has dismissed reports that students were killed in the incident, stating that the collapsed building does not belong to the institution.
The polytechnic said checks conducted on students living in nearby hostels confirmed that none was involved in the building collapse.
