Matilda Omonaiye/
The police in Lagos have told how the state governor bailed out a graduate who attempted suicide on the 3rd Mainland Bridge because he could not repay a loan of N500, 000 lost on a failed business.
According to Lagos police spokesman, SP Bala Elkana, officers of the Rapid Response Squad deployed to the Third Mainland Bridge intercepted the 45-year-old man identified as Adeyinka Abiodun as he tried to jump into the lagoon at about 1:50 pm on July 31.
Elkana said that the man who came all the way from Abaranje Road, Ikotun, was rescued and taken to Bariga Police Station for questioning and debriefing.
“He stated that in March 2020 he procured a loan of N390,000 with a monthly repayment plan for six months and accrued interest of N142,287:25 from a microfinance bank in Lagos Island.
“The loan was collected with the intent to upgrade his wine retail business, but the business failed and the money lost. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and a masters degree in business administration. He is married with two children. He is currently attending medical and counselling sessions. The microfinance bank was contacted and they confirmed the loan. The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, moved with compassion, came to the rescue by repaying the loan.
“Worried by the rate in which people are killing themselves, the Commissioner of Police Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu psc enjoined Lagosians to always explore other means of addressing life challenges than resorting to taking their own life, as suicide is never an option. This is the 8th suicide attempt successfully foiled by the Police in Lagos, in the last two months. He calls on well-meaning individuals to always reach out to the needy and less privileged persons around them. Together we can stop suicide,” Elkana stated.
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