By Okpere Sharon Omoye,
Residents Urge Government Action as Falling Trees Wreak Havoc in Calabar
Residents of Atimbo, a community in Calabar, Cross River State, have raised serious concerns over the increasing incidents of falling trees during heavy rainfall, urging the state government to take urgent action before more lives and properties are lost.
The worries stem from a growing number of accidents involving old trees that collapse during storms, causing damage to vehicles, homes, and sometimes leading to loss of life.
In one recent incident, a Nissan Xterra Jeep was crushed by a falling tree during a downpour. Fortunately, there were no casualties in that case.
However, not all have been so lucky. In 2024, a tragic accident occurred along the Muritala Muhammed Highway when a tree fell on a commercial minibus, killing a passenger who was later identified as a lecturer at the University of Calabar.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr. Samuel Ekpenyong, an eyewitness to the latest incident, described how a resident narrowly escaped harm.
“The rain on Monday evening came with strong winds. A woman was calling for her gate to be opened when a huge tree in front of the building fell on her car and crushed it,” Ekpenyong recounted. “She wasn’t in the vehicle at the time, so she was lucky. But this is happening too often in Calabar.”
Other residents echoed the same fear, calling on the state government to speed up efforts to remove dangerous trees across the city. Miss Ikaete Livinus, a resident of the area, said many trees in Calabar are old, oversized, and no longer safe.
“Late last year, a storm brought down many trees in the city. Some fell on power lines and poles, cutting off electricity for days,” she said.
“Shops, buildings, and even roads like the Muritala Muhammed Highway were affected. The trees blocked access and left residents stranded.”
In response, the Cross River State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Moses Osogi, sympathized with those affected and assured residents that steps are being taken to address the issue.
“We have a dedicated unit in the Ministry of Environment that identifies and removes old trees. If you move around the city, you’ll notice that we’ve already started work. It’s a gradual process,” Osogi explained.
He advised residents to avoid parking under trees, especially during storms, and encouraged them to report any suspiciously old or leaning trees to the ministry.
“When such reports are made, the responsible unit will inspect the tree and determine if it needs to be pruned or cut down entirely,” he added.
As the rainy season deepens, residents hope that preventive action will be swift to avoid further loss and restore peace of mind to those living under the shadow of Calabar’s aging tree.
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