Hardship: Police Battle Suicide Attempts In Lagos

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE 

Police operatives of the Lagos State Command led by the amiable Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alabi, may not really be finding it easy over the recent societal challenge following rising cases of suicide attempts due to economic challenges in the state and indeed across the country. 

P. M.EXPRESS investigation revealed that the Police authorities at the Lagos State Command may be fully aware of the rising incidence of suicide mission and had made arrangement to monitor some black spots, which may likely be used for suicide mission by frustrated Lagosians. 

The decision of the Police Boss, CP Alabi, paid off recently when the operatives of Rapid Response Squad (RSS) rescued a 67-year- old man, Oluwatoye Bamgboye, who attempted to jump from the 3rd Mainland Bridge into the Lagos Lagoon.

The frustrated Bamgboye was not happy that he was rescued as he claimed he wanted to end his life on that fateful afternoon, being his birthday, before he was rescued by officers of the RRS. 

According to the Police, “While on patrol on Third Mainland Bridge, we saw a 67–year old man, trying to leap into the Lagoon and we did everything possible to stop him”.

“The elderly man, who gave his name as Oluwatoye Bamgboye, from Oju-Ore, Ogun State, was attempting to jump into the Lagos Lagoon inward Lagos Island when we stopped him.”

“He disclosed that a personal challenge made him sell his house, land and car. With that, he still couldn’t solve the problem. He got a loan and the problem still persisted.”

He explained further that he secured a job and, on the resumption date, he was informed that the job had been given to someone else.

The old man was quoted as saying: “Today, being my birthday, I have decided to end it all. The burden and the frustration are too much for me to bear. My wife has abandoned me in the process”.

The Police took the man to Adekunle Police Station, where efforts were in progress to contact his family members and persuade him from taking his life.

While the Police were still battling how to resolve the issue of Gbamgboye, a  33-year old man, William Amishero, was rescued while attempting to commit suicide after he bought a rope, tied it on his neck and hung the rope on the ceiling fan in his room apartment to die. 

The incident happened at Fajima Close in Iyana Ipaja area of Lagos State, where he resides but he was rescued by his neighbours and handed over to the police at Elere Division, where he was detained for counselling and rehabilitation. 

Amishero was angry that his neighbours did not allow him to terminate his life and clearly told the Police at the station that they were wasting their time and that any time he was released from custody, he would surely commit suicide over hardship.

During interrogation, Amishero insisted that he would take his life whether the Police liked it or not because he was tired of living in the world and refused to disclose the real issues that made him to conclude to terminate his life. 

The Police on their side were in dilemma over what to do with Amishero since he claimed to have made up his mind he would commit suicide if he is released from custody. 

On Tuesday, there was an incident at the Anthony Village area of Lagos State, as a yet to be identified man allegedly jumped from the pedestrian bridge, inward Maryland, falling into the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT), lane, in what is believed to be a suicide attempt.

The man, according to a narration by one Akinrodoye Oluwasina, had pulled off his clothes on top of the bridge before jumping off the bridge into the BRT lane, naked, fortunately however, he did not die though in need of medical attention.

Oluwasina in his narration said attempts to reach the state emergency services on its 112 number was unsuccessful as the number was not going through, but a call to the Pedro Police Station was answered and the Station Officer said they were dispatching officers to the scene immediately for urgent action.

There are other instances of suicide mission in various areas across the state and some were lucky to be rescued alive while many have died in the process. 

P.M.EXPRESS findings revealed that the victims were basically frustrated and unable to cope with the trauma and so they chose the option of suicide to end their suffering in the society. 

Speaking on the incidences of suicide in Lagos State, the President of Peace Ambassadors Initiatives, Ambassador Cyril Ezewele, stated that the Police should be more prepared because many victims will take that option due to economic hardship.

He explained that many families cannot feed or take care of their children and businesses are closing almost on daily basis leaving many jobless and hopeless. He noted that in such situation, some who cannot cope with the situation may likely commit suicide. 

He advised that the Government should take proactive steps to revamp the economy, create jobs and enabling environment for businesses to pick up otherwise they should be prepared to bury more Lagosians, who may take their lives due to frustration. 

This means that the Police will have to do more to sensitize and encourage the public on the need to keep hope alive and informing them that suicide is not an option at the same time informing the Government about the impact of the economic hardship in the society, which makes people prone to commit suicide.