Ebonyi State, July 25, 2025 — A three-storey building at Pentagon Lodge, located near Alex Ekwueme Federal University in Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, Ebonyi State, collapsed on Friday, sparking fears over student safety in the area.
A video circulating on social media shows the exact moment the building gave way, sending debris crashing to the ground. In the footage, a distressed student can be heard saying, “See my lodge is falling, all my properties are inside.”
No Confirmed Casualties Yet
As of the time of this report, there are no confirmed casualties, though investigations are still ongoing. A student who spoke to SaharaReporters by phone revealed that cracks had been observed on the walls of the lodge prior to the collapse.
“Some students had already moved out of the lodge after noticing the cracks. The properties left inside likely belong to those who traveled out of town,” the source said.
Recurring Incidents Raise Alarms
This incident follows another recent collapse of a three-storey building under construction near the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, where two workers were trapped and later rescued. One labourer reportedly escaped because he had stepped out briefly before the structure gave way.
Government Response and Investigation
In response to these incidents, the Ebonyi State Government has set up a special investigative committee to identify the root causes of building collapses across the state.
The committee is tasked with:
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Examining structural failures and regulatory gaps
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Recommending stricter building standards
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Improving compliance with construction laws
The state aims to prevent future tragedies through enhanced oversight of construction projects and improved safety enforcement mechanisms.
