By Parrot Newspaper 
Billboard Collapses on Tricycles in Aba, Multiple Feared Dead
By Parrot Newspaper Investigative Desk | ISSN 3092-8427 | parrotnewspaper.com
Aba, Abia State — Tragedy struck in the heart of Aba on Wednesday afternoon as a towering billboard collapsed on a group of tricycles conveying passengers, leaving multiple people severely injured and others feared dead.
The incident occurred during a torrential downpour accompanied by violent winds at the busy Salad Market junction, adjacent to the GIA Event Centre — a location known for heavy commuter traffic and bustling commercial activity.
Eyewitnesses told Parrot Newspaper that the massive structure came crashing down without warning, trapping several fully-loaded tricycles underneath. “It was sudden. People screamed as the billboard slammed into the keke [tricycles]. Some passengers died instantly, while others were stuck, crying for help,” a trader who witnessed the chaos recounted.
Despite the gravity of the situation, no official statement had been issued by Abia State emergency services or the police as of press time. Onlookers and volunteer engineers reportedly took the lead in rescue efforts, using crude tools and sheer determination to pull victims from the wreckage.
Paramedics eventually arrived, and the injured were rushed to nearby medical facilities. Bodies of the deceased were reportedly taken to a local mortuary, although the exact death toll remains unconfirmed. Hospital sources hinted at “multiple critical cases,” raising fears that the casualty count could rise.
The collapse has raised urgent questions about the integrity of billboard structures across Aba and other Nigerian cities. Parrot Newspaper’s preliminary investigations show that many such structures are erected without rigorous safety checks or compliance with urban planning regulations.
A city engineer, who asked not to be named, expressed concern: “This is not the first time strong winds have tested these structures, and sadly, it won’t be the last unless government agencies enforce existing safety standards. There’s little to no inspection after installation.”
As of Wednesday evening, security operatives had cordoned off the area, but passersby continued to gather, expressing outrage and demanding accountability. “Who approved this deathtrap to hang above our heads?” one angry commuter asked.
Efforts to reach the Abia State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ABSAA) for comments were unsuccessful. Their silence adds to growing frustration over the apparent neglect of public safety in the state’s commercial capital.
Parrot Newspaper will continue monitoring the situation and pressing relevant authorities for answers.