By Our Correspondent

The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the ongoing rescue operation following the collapse of a three-storey building at Oko, in Orumba North Local Government Area of the state, with some occupants reportedly trapped under the rubble.

The building, identified as Elite Five Star Lodge, located beside Tonimas Filling Station, Amokpala, Oko, reportedly collapsed late Sunday night, July 26, 2026.

The Police-led joint security team, on receiving the distress call, immediately mobilised to the scene, secured the area and commenced coordinated rescue efforts in collaboration with other relevant emergency agencies.

The Anambra State Fire Service and the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) were also said to have responded promptly and joined the rescue operation.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said rescue operations were still ongoing as emergency responders worked to reach persons who might still be trapped beneath the debris.

Ikenga explained that the exact number of casualties or affected persons could not yet be ascertained as rescue operations were still in progress.

He, however, disclosed that some injured victims had been successfully rescued from the rubble and evacuated to a hospital in Oko, where they were receiving medical attention.

The Police spokesperson urged residents and members of the public, particularly those within the vicinity of the collapsed building, to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information about the incident.

He also appealed to members of the public to stay away from the scene to enable emergency responders to carry out rescue operations without obstruction and ensure the safety of residents and responders.

The Command assured that further updates would be made available as soon as more verified information emerges from the ongoing rescue operation.
Building Collapse: Oko Poly Management desmiss reports of students death as false, misleading

Meanwhile the Management of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra state has dismissed reports alleging that large number of students of the institution were trapped in the building that collapsed late Sunday night within the area as false and misleading

According to a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the institution, Dr. Oguegbu Celestine Udoka on Monday, the two persons still trapped in the rubble are not students of the Polytechnic.

According to him, the collapsed building is not located within the premises of the Polytechnic, but a neighbouring community.

While saying that the structure which is privately owned has both students and non-students as occupants, he noted that incident occurred after students had completed their second-semester examinations, with significant number of them already out of their hostels and travelled home for the ongoing short break.

He said, “Attention of the Management of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, has been drawn to various reports and narratives circulating on social media concerning the unfortunate collapse of a multi-storey building in Amaokpala, a neighbouring community to Oko town, Anambra State.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, wishes to state categorically that the collapsed building is not located within the premises of the Polytechnic.

“The incident occurred at Amaokpala, a neighbouring community, and involved a privately owned lodge occupied by both students and non-students.

“The building, reportedly known as the 5 Elite Storey Building and located beside Tonimas Filling Station, collapsed late Sunday night.

“Contrary to some misleading reports circulating on social media, the incident did not occur inside the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, neither were all the occupants of the building students of the Polytechnic.

“The Polytechnic further wishes to clarify that, as of the time of filing this report, no student of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, has been confirmed dead, and no life has been lost in the unfortunate incident.

“Upon receiving information about the incident, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie, was at the scene as early as 6:36 a.m. to personally ascertain the extent of the incident and establish the welfare of students who might have been affected.

“The Rector was received at the scene by the President of the Students’ Union Government, Giant Comrade Anuluonye Ifechukwu Joseph, the Public Relations Officer of the Polytechnic, Dr. Oguegbu Celestine Udoka, the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Comrade Chibuzo Asomugha, the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the polytechnic, and other members of staff of the Polytechnic.

“The Anambra State Commissioner for Works, Architect Okey Ezeobi, alongside the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Ben Obidike, was s of the time o

As at the time of filing this story, it was gathered that some occupants have of the building have already been rescued and are receiving medical attention at a nearby hospital for injuries reportedly described as not life threatening

It was also gathered that approximately two persons, who are reportedly not students of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, may still be trapped, with rescue personnel even as effort is being made to locate and rescue them.

While urging the public to disregard unverified reports and misleading narratives over the incident, the Polytechnic’s spokesperson gave assurance of the institution’s deep concern about the students’ safety and welfare, saying that it will continue to closely monitor the situation in the ongoing rescue operations.

He added, “The institution also commends the emergency responders, government officials, local volunteers, security personnel, and other individuals involved in the rescue operation.

“Further updates will be provided as credible information becomes available.”

By Sam Otuonye

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has presented corruption risk assessment reports on key public institutions, urging stronger institutional reforms, digital governance, and greater inter-agency collaboration to curb corruption in Nigeria’s health and education sectors.

Speaking at the public presentation of the reports on Monday, July 17, 2026 in Abuja, ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu described the initiative as a major milestone in the Commission’s preventive anti-corruption strategy aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability and service delivery.

The presentation was on the key findings of the Follow-up Corruption Risk Assessment/System Review Reports of National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

Aliyu said corruption risk assessments should not end as mere reports but must lead to measurable institutional reforms that improve governance and restore public confidence in public institutions.

According to him, the institutions reviewed occupy strategic positions in Nigeria’s human capital development agenda, as their performance directly affects access to healthcare, primary healthcare services and quality education.

He noted that the assessments identified corruption risks, including leakages in health insurance payments, diversion of medical supplies, ghost workers, procurement irregularities, abandoned school projects and weak oversight mechanisms.

“The corruption risk assessment is not simply an academic exercise. It is a diagnostic tool that enables institutions to identify systemic weaknesses and address them before they negatively affect service delivery and the lives of citizens,” he said.

The ICPC chairman said the Commission had continued to strengthen its own internal governance through transparent decision-making, merit-based recruitment, digitisation of processes, stronger internal audit systems, conflict-of-interest declarations and improved compliance mechanisms.

He identified digital transformation as one of the most effective tools for preventing corruption, noting that technology enhances transparency by reducing human discretion, improving audit trails and increasing operational efficiency.

Aliyu also stressed the importance of ethical leadership, saying institutional reforms can only succeed where leaders demonstrate integrity and promote accountability throughout their organisations.

He recommended the establishment of integrated digital platforms that would allow citizens to monitor health insurance enrolment, primary healthcare services and education projects, while calling for stronger independent oversight, end-to-end e-procurement systems, improved staff welfare and stricter enforcement against abandoned public projects.

The Lead Director of the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), Barr. Eze Onyekpere said the organisation collaborated with the ICPC, with support from the European Union-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme, to review the implementation of recommendations arising from previous corruption risk assessments.

According to him, the project aims to improve the effectiveness of anti-corruption laws, policies and reforms at both national and sub-national levels, while strengthening compliance with anti-corruption standards.

He said corruption prevention requires continuous engagement, implementation of recommendations and cooperation among anti-corruption agencies, regulatory institutions, civil society organisations and development partners.

The CSJ lead Director also called for institutionalised peer reviews and continuous dialogue among public institutions to encourage the sharing of best practices and improve governance.

Also speaking at the event, the European Union representative, a development partner representative, Emmanuel Uche commended the ICPC for prioritising preventive anti-corruption measures over enforcement alone.

He said Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts must focus on building systems that prevent corruption from occurring rather than relying solely on prosecution after public resources have been lost.

The representative praised the ICPC’s collaborative approach with government agencies, noting that corruption risk assessments provide practical roadmaps for strengthening institutional integrity and improving public sector performance.

He expressed confidence that the reports would guide the implementation of reforms capable of enhancing transparency, accountability and efficient service delivery across government institutions.

The event brought together senior government officials, civil society organisations, development partners and stakeholders committed to strengthening integrity and promoting good governance in Nigeria.

By Chidera Orji

In a renewed effort in promoting inter – agency collaboration and cooperation especially in Delta State for effective and efficient security, the newly redeployed Commander of Nigerian Army in Delta State, Brig. General I.B. Buhari, who also doubles as the Commander, Sector 1, JTF, South South, Operation Delta Safe, has paid a courtesy visit to the Delta State Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Chinedu F. Igbo in his office, recently.

In a statement by DSC Anthony Uchenna, the NSCDC state corps public relations officer, said the Brigade Commander, who was accompanied by some senior officers of the brigade, appreciated Commandant Igbo for the warm reception and commended him for the efforts of NSCDC in Delta State in maintaining constant synergy with other security agencies especially the Nigeria Army in the fight against crime and criminality in the state.

The Commander who assumed duty on Monday 20th July, 2026, reiterated his resolve to make Delta a more secured state especially in the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure, effective synergy with other security agencies like NSCDC, and accessibility when duty calls.

He therefore solicited for continued synergy especially the area of realtime intelligence sharing and professional interface between both agencies.

Brig. General Buhari, acknowledged that NSCDC officers are exceptional and disciplined in JTF and are equal to the task.

In his response, Commandant Chinedu appreciated the Commander for making NSCDC Delta a point of call and further assured General Buhari of the command’s continued synergy with the army.