Panic gripped the business district of Ibadan on Monday morning after a yet-to-be-identified man reportedly fell from one of the upper floors of the 26-storey Cocoa House, Nigeria’s oldest skyscraper.
Eyewitnesses recounted the horrifying moment the individual plummeted from the iconic building, with one describing the initial confusion over what was falling.
“At first, I thought it was a bird,” a witness told The PUNCH. “It was only after he hit the ground that I realized it was a human being.”
Another witness added that the man’s body struck the roof of a structure near the security post before hitting the ground, describing the scene as “terrifying.”
In a statement released Tuesday by Odu’a Investment Company Limited, the managing firm of Cocoa House, officials confirmed the incident and stated that the man received immediate attention.
“The individual involved was swiftly attended to by the emergency response team and taken to the University College Hospital, Ibadan, for urgent medical attention,” said Victor Ayetoro, Head of Branding and Communication for the company.
As of press time, the man’s identity and the circumstances leading to his fall remain unclear. No official cause — whether accidental, intentional, or otherwise — has been confirmed.
Odu’a Investment Company expressed concern over the incident and promised full cooperation with relevant authorities investigating the matter. “We are deeply concerned and are working closely with security agencies to determine what happened,” the statement added.
The management also urged the public to avoid speculation until facts are verified, assuring stakeholders and occupants of Cocoa House that safety remains a top priority.
Located in Dugbe, Ibadan, Cocoa House is a 26-storey structure built in 1965 and once the tallest building in West Africa. It houses various corporate offices and retail outlets and remains a symbol of post-independence economic ambition in Nigeria.
Authorities are expected to release more details following the outcome of ongoing investigations.
