A heartbreaking incident occurred on Easter Sunday along Okpanam Road in Asaba, Delta State, where a commercial tricycle rider lost his life.
A powerful windstorm uprooted an old tree, which crashed onto a moving “keke,” killing the rider and injuring several passengers.
The tragedy has sparked concern among residents, who are now calling for better environmental management to avoid similar incidents in the future. Many are emphasizing the importance of regularly inspecting and maintaining aging trees in the area.
The Commissioner for Environment, Jamani Ejiro, confirmed the incident, explaining that he received emergency calls shortly after it happened and quickly arrived at the scene with officials from both the Ministries of Transport and Environment. He said that together with his colleague, Hon. Onoriode Agofure, and their teams, they coordinated efforts to remove the fallen tree and ensure traffic could move freely again.
Initial assessments revealed that several trees along Okpanam Road have become overgrown and structurally weak, making them prone to falling during severe weather. The commissioner added that the state government has already started taking urgent action to identify and remove dangerous trees in vulnerable areas to prevent such tragedies from happening again.
