Man plunges from 26-storey Cocoa House in Ibadan, triggers panic

Panic gripped residents and business owners around Cocoa House in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Monday morning, following the horrifying fall of a man from one of the top floors of the iconic 26-storey building.

The tragic incident occurred at dawn on June 2, sending shockwaves across the city and within the local business community.

Eyewitnesses described the terrifying moment the man plunged from the high-rise structure. One witness, visibly shaken, recounted the scene:

“At first, I thought it was a huge bird dropping from the sky. But as he hit the roof and fell to the ground, I realized it was a human being. My hands trembled. I couldn’t even bring myself to record it with my phone.”

Another onlooker gave a chilling description of the fall.

“He first struck a small roof beside the security post before finally hitting the ground. The sound was terrible. People screamed and rushed to the scene, but it was too late to do anything,” he said.

The man’s identity remains unknown at the time of this report, and there is no confirmed information about the events that led to the tragic fall.

The mystery surrounding the incident has fueled intense speculation among locals and visitors.

Officials of Odu’a Investment Company Limited, the firm responsible for managing Cocoa House, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, Victor Ayetoro, Head of Branding and Communication, said the emergency response team acted swiftly.

“The individual involved was immediately attended to and taken to the University College Hospital, Ibadan, for urgent treatment,” the statement read. “We are working closely with relevant authorities to investigate the cause of this tragic event.”

The company expressed deep concern and pledged full cooperation with investigators to unravel the circumstances behind the fall.

However, no update has been given on the condition or survival of the victim as of press time.

Security operatives have cordoned off the area around the point of impact, and access to certain floors of the building has been restricted pending further investigation.

Meanwhile, the Cocoa House, a symbol of regional pride and Nigeria’s first skyscraper, has stood tall for decades in Ibadan.

Its status as the tallest building in the southwest has made it a popular site for tourists, corporate offices, and historical significance.

This tragic incident has now cast a dark shadow over its legacy.

Authorities have called on members of the public to remain calm as investigations continue.

The police have urged anyone with useful information to come forward.

This shocking event has raised urgent questions about safety protocols in Nigeria’s tallest commercial buildings.

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