The student community at Ekosodin, Edo State was thrown into panic on Saturday morning when a storey building on Ekhator Street, Benin, the state capital, collapsed during the early morning downpour in the state.

Ekosodin borders the University of Benin and has a huge student population as those who cannot get accommodation in the school opt to live in the area.

One of the students at the scene, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that a university rescue team managed to evacuate some of the trapped occupants, though several were severely injured. He stated that the injured victims were rushed to the hospital for medical treatment. 

The student also stated that the rescue team is still searching for one of the victims who remains trapped inside the rubble, called from inside and the rescue team has continued its search to locate and rescue her and others who are still trapped.

The Dean of Student Affairs is said to be on the scene, coordinating rescue efforts alongside the university team.