A 45-year-old Masters Degree holder, Adeyinka Abiodun, has attempted suicide over his inability to repay a N390,000 loan he collected from a microfinance bank.
It was gathered that the loan, which Abiodun took in March this year, has a monthly repayment plan for six months, and had accrued an interest of N142,287.25 by the time the M.sc holder attempted the suicide.
Abiodun, a resident of Abaranje, Ikotun, in Lagos, had attempted to jump off the Third Mainland Bridge at about 1:50 pm on Friday.
However, he was rescued by a police patrol team posted to man the bridge during the Eid-el-Kabir holidays.
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, disclosed on Sunday that while being interrogated at the Bariga police station, Abiodun explained that he attempted the suicide due to his inability to meet up with the repayment plan.
Elkana said, “The man, who is a Physics graduate and a Master’s degree holder in Business Administration, with two children, collected the loan with intent to upgrade his retail business, but the business failed and the money was lost.
“He is being put through medical and counselling sessions.”
He disclosed that Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu visited the man when he learnt of the development and has decided to repay the loan.
Elkana added that the Lagos State Police Command has advised residents of the state to refrain from resorting to suicide.
He said, ”The state Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, worried by the rate at which people are killing themselves, has enjoined Lagosians to always explore other means of addressing life’s challenges rather than resorting to taking their own lives, as suicide is never an option.
“This is the eighth suicide attempt the police have successfully foiled in Lagos in the last two months.
“The Commissioner calls on well-meaning individuals to always reach out to the needy and less privileged persons around them. Together we can stop suicide.”
