A tragic incident occurred in Aba, Abia State, on Wednesday, May 28, when a massive billboard collapsed onto several commercial tricycles, popularly known as keke napep, carrying passengers. The heartbreaking event took place during a heavy downpour at the bustling Salad Market junction, located near the GIA Event Centre — a well-known landmark in the city.
Eyewitnesses at the scene recounted the terrifying moment when the towering structure, weakened by the storm’s fierce winds and rain, came crashing down. The billboard reportedly landed directly on moving tricycles filled with unsuspecting passengers, instantly plunging the area into chaos and panic. Cries for help echoed through the rain as bystanders rushed to rescue those trapped beneath the mangled wreckage.
“There are people dead… people don kpai [a local slang for ‘died’] for here finish,” a distraught woman could be heard exclaiming in a video recorded shortly after the incident. Her anguished voice reflected the horror and urgency of the scene as efforts were made by civilians to remove debris and reach the victims.
Though the exact number of casualties remains unclear, multiple sources fear that several lives may have been lost, while others sustained varying degrees of injury.
As of now, no official statement has been released by local authorities or emergency services regarding the cause of the collapse, the structural integrity of the billboard prior to the incident, or a confirmed number of casualties. The silence from relevant agencies has further fueled public concern about infrastructure safety and regulatory enforcement in the state.
This incident has reignited calls for stricter oversight of outdoor advertising structures, especially in densely populated urban areas like Aba, where many such installations tower over roads, markets, and residential zones.
Residents and civil society groups are urging the Abia State government and relevant regulatory bodies to conduct a thorough investigation into the collapse and to ensure that those responsible are held accountable. Many are also advocating for immediate inspections of similar billboards across the state to prevent a recurrence of such a disaster.
More details are expected to emerge as the situation develops and as authorities commence official investigations into the tragic event.