Officers of the Lagos State Police Command have prevented a businessman, Abiodun Adeyinka, from committing suicide by jumping into the lagoon on the Third Mainland Bridge during the Eid-el-Kabir festival on Friday.
Abiodun had approached a microfinance bank for N390,000 to boost his business but could not repay the loan and the accrued interest, because the venture turned out to be unsuccessful.
Troubled by his inability to repay the loan, The Punch gathered that the 45-year-old left his place of residence in the Ikotun area of the state and headed for the Third Mainland Bridge, where he attempted to jump into the lagoon.
It was learnt that policemen attached to the Bariga Division, who had been watching Abiodun closely, quickly prevented him from plunging into the lagoon.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, said in a statement on Sunday that after Abidoun was rescued, the father of two said during interrogation that the reason he attempted to take his life was because of his indebtedness.
He added that Abiodun had been attending medical and counselling sessions.
Elkana stated, “On Friday, July 31, 2020, around 1.50pm, police operatives deployed on the Third Mainland Bridge intercepted one Adeyinka Abiodun, 45, of Abaranje Road, Ikotun, while attempting to jump into the lagoon. He was rescued and taken to the Bariga Police Station for questioning and debriefing.
“He stated that in March 2020, he obtained a loan of N390,000 with a repayment plan for six months and accrued interest of N142,287,25 from a microfinance bank on the Lagos Island. The loan was collected with the intention of upgrading his wine retail business, but the business failed and the money was lost.
“He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and a Master’s degree in Business Administration. He is married with two children. He is currently attending medical and counselling sessions.”
The microfinance bank, from which Abiodun took the loan, was contacted to confirm the transaction and after confirmation, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was moved with compassion, repaid the loan.
“Worried by the rate at which people are killing themselves, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu, enjoined Lagosians to always explore other means of addressing life challenges other than resorting to taking their own lives, as suicide is never an option."
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