Panic gripped the Cocoa House area in Ibadan on Monday when an unidentified middle-aged man jumped from one of the upper floors of the 26-storey building and survived.
The incident, which drew a large crowd of traders and passersby, occurred suddenly and left many in shock. Eyewitnesses said the man hit a roof near the building’s security post before landing heavily on the ground, sustaining multiple injuries. “It was just like a film when I saw the man coming from the top floor of the Cocoa House building,” said one witness, Adetoro Oke. “One cannot just imagine that someone can do that. I seriously believe something is wrong with the man.”
While the victim’s motive remains unclear, several onlookers speculated that the fall might have been a suicide attempt, with others suggesting possible mental health issues.
Confirming the incident, the Head of Branding and Communication of Odu’a Investment Company Limited, MMrVictor Ayetoro, described the man as a stranger and confirmed that his identity was yet to be established. He added that it was still uncertain whether the man was mentally stable or not.
“The individual involved was swiftly attended to by the emergency response team and taken to the University College Hospital, Ibadan, for urgent medical attention,” Ayetoro stated.
He assured that investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the man’s action. “The company expresses deep concern over the development and assures the public of its full cooperation with authorities investigating the cause of the fall,” he added.
Meanwhile, activities at Cocoa House have since resumed under heightened vigilance as authorities work to uncover the mystery behind the frightening event.
