Tragedy in Aba as Giant Billboard Collapses on Keke Napep Passengers at Salad Market Junction

 

A heartbreaking incident occurred on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State, Nigeria. A massive billboard collapsed during a heavy downpour at the busy Salad Market junction, close to the popular GIA Event Centre. The billboard came crashing down on several tricycles—commonly known as keke napep—which were carrying unsuspecting passengers at the time.

This tragic accident has thrown the entire community into mourning and sparked renewed conversations around public safety, infrastructure regulation, and the frequent neglect of weather warnings in urban planning.

What Happened at Salad Market, Aba?

Eyewitnesses described a chaotic and terrifying scene that unfolded just as the rain intensified. Many traders, commuters, and residents were seeking shelter from the downpour when the giant metal structure gave way and landed directly on moving tricycles at the junction.

According to multiple onlookers, the billboard didn’t just fall—it crushed everything in its path. The force of the impact trapped several people inside the keke napeps, causing widespread panic and prompting an immediate call for help.

"People are dead. People don kpai for here finish," a visibly shaken woman can be heard saying in a viral video captured at the scene. Her voice trembled with fear and disbelief as she surveyed the wreckage.

Keke Napep Passengers Trapped Under Collapsed Billboard

Tricycles, or keke napep, are a popular means of transportation in Aba and across Nigeria. They are small, three-wheeled vehicles often used for short-distance travel in congested urban areas. Due to their size and structure, they offer little protection during serious accidents.

Eyewitnesses reported that at least two or more keke napep vehicles were directly hit by the collapsing billboard. Passengers were trapped inside the twisted metal and wrecked tricycles. Some onlookers attempted to rescue those pinned underneath, while others called emergency services, though it remains unclear how quickly help arrived.

A trader at Salad Market who gave her name simply as Chioma recounted what she saw:

"I was selling under my umbrella when I heard a loud crash. I turned and saw the big billboard fall on the road. Keke people were shouting, and one woman inside was crying for help. It was terrible. Blood was everywhere."

Panic, Shock, and Confusion

In the moments that followed the collapse, the entire area descended into confusion. Traders abandoned their goods, commuters ran for safety, and passersby stopped to help or simply watch in horror. The sheer size of the billboard made it difficult for bystanders to lift or move, complicating rescue efforts.

Local transport operators and good Samaritans tried to remove the debris using their bare hands. Some used wooden sticks and car jacks to try to create space under the billboard to reach the trapped victims. Their efforts were valiant, but the scale of the destruction made things extremely difficult.

Videos from the scene show men and women shouting for help, some sobbing, while others frantically dialed emergency numbers. Unfortunately, the slow response from emergency services, as commonly seen in such situations across Nigeria, only added to the despair.

No Official Statement Yet on Casualties

As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from the Abia State government, emergency responders, or the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) regarding the exact number of casualties or the cause of the collapse. However, eyewitness accounts suggest that several lives may have been lost.

"People are de@d. People don kpai for here finish," the woman repeated in another video, emphasizing the magnitude of the loss. While we await confirmation, the growing number of video clips and photos from the scene paint a grim picture.

Efforts are ongoing to confirm the identities and conditions of those involved in the incident.

Possible Causes of the Billboard Collapse

While investigations are yet to begin, the primary suspected cause is poor structural integrity compounded by heavy rainfall. Experts have long warned about the danger of erecting large metal billboards in busy areas without proper engineering oversight.

In Nigeria, it is not uncommon for advertising structures to be mounted haphazardly without strict adherence to safety guidelines. Corruption, negligence, and lack of regulatory enforcement often result in dangerous installations that threaten public safety.

The rain on May 28 was particularly heavy and accompanied by strong winds. Local weather reports had issued alerts about potential flooding and wind damage earlier in the day. The combination of wind and accumulated water likely put extra pressure on the billboard’s support system, causing it to buckle and collapse.

Reactions From the Public

Since news of the incident broke, Nigerians across the country have taken to social media to express their shock, anger, and frustration. Many are calling for immediate investigations and accountability.

Popular Twitter user @AbiaVoice posted:

"What happened at Salad Market today is completely avoidable. These billboards should be properly inspected. Why do we wait for tragedy before acting?"

Another user, @NaijaSafetyWatch, wrote:

"Our hearts are with the victims and their families. The Abia State government must answer: Who approved this structure? Who inspected it last?"

Calls for better infrastructure management and stricter enforcement of urban safety laws have grown louder in the wake of the incident.

A Wake-Up Call for Urban Safety in Nigeria

This tragedy in Aba should serve as a wake-up call for both state and federal authorities to prioritize public safety in all urban planning decisions. Billboards, bridges, drainage systems, and other structures must be properly constructed and maintained to avoid such avoidable disasters.

The collapse of the billboard at Salad Market is not an isolated event. Similar incidents have happened in Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Abuja in recent years. Each time, lives are lost, and nothing seems to change. The cycle must end.

Conclusion

The Abia State billboard collapse at Salad Market junction in Aba is a somber reminder of the risks we face when public infrastructure is poorly maintained and safety regulations are ignored. As we mourn the victims, it is also important to demand action and accountability.

Authorities must investigate this tragedy thoroughly. The public deserves to know how such a massive structure could fall so easily—and who should be held responsible. Meanwhile, the families affected by this heartbreaking accident need our support, prayers, and justice.

We will continue to update this story as more information becomes available. For now, we say a silent prayer for the victims and urge the government to act fast before another preventable disaster claims more lives.