Multiple Casualties Feared in Aba as Heavy Billboard Collapses on Tricycles

A tragic incident took place in the bustling city of Aba on Wednesday as a heavy billboard collpeased and fell several commercial tricycles (popularly known as Keke Napep), with many feared dead and others critically injured.

The incident occurred at the Salad Market junction near the GIA Event Centre, amid a torrential downpour and high winds.

According to eyewitness accounts and video footage shared on social media, including Linda Ikeji’s Blog on Instagram, the billboard came crashing down suddenly, trapping multiple passengers inside at least three tricycles.

Disturbing videos from the scene show bystanders frantically trying to lift debris and rescue those buried beneath the structure.

Heart-wrenching cries for help and calls for emergency assistance filled the air.

Local sources say the collapse also brought down high-tension electrical wires, causing a power outage in the area and raising further concerns about public safety.

Despite the immediate response from residents and commercial operators, many of the injured were reportedly in critical condition as they were rushed to nearby hospitals.

As of the time of this report, no official casualty figure has been released by authorities, but onlookers and rescue volunteers indicated that the death toll could be significant due to the scale and suddenness of the collapse.

This incident has reignited public debate over the structural integrity of outdoor advertising infrastructure in urban areas and the regulatory oversight of billboards, especially in weather-vulnerable regions.

Residents are calling on the Abia State government and relevant regulatory agencies to investigate the matter thoroughly and ensure that safety standards are enforced to prevent future tragedies.

Emergency services, including officials from the State Fire Service, Abia State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and security personnel, are reportedly conducting rescue and recovery operations at the scene.

The Abia State government is expected to issue an official statement following a full assessment.