Panic spread through Ibadan’s business community, the Oyo State capital, on Monday after an unidentified man fell from an upper floor of the iconic 26-storey Cocoa House building.
The incident, which happened in the early hours, shocked those at the bustling premises.
Eyewitnesses described the terrifying moment the victim fell.
“At first, I thought it was a large bird falling,” one witness recounted.
“It was only when the person landed that I realised it was a human being. I had my phone, but I couldn’t even record—my hands were shaking.”
Another witness stated the man hit the roof near the building’s security post before landing on the ground.
“It was a horrifying sight. People screamed and ran—it was chaos,” the witness added.
As of press time, the victim’s identity and the cause of the fall are still unknown, with authorities investigating the disturbing event.
Persecondnews reported that the man’s condition is unclear.
Odu’a Investment Company Limited, the managers of Cocoa House, confirmed the incident in a statement on Tuesday.
Victor Ayetoro, the firm’s Head of Branding and Communication, said:“The individual involved was swiftly attended to by the emergency response team and taken to the University College Hospital, Ibadan, for urgent medical attention.”
The company expressed deep concern and pledged full cooperation with investigators.
Built in 1965, Cocoa House is West Africa’s first skyscraper and remains a prominent Ibadan landmark.
This incident has cast a dark shadow over the historic structure, as residents await answers regarding the tragic fall.
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