Sanwo-Olu pays debt of Adeyinka who attempted suicide on Sallah day

A 45 years old Abiodun Adeyinka, residing  in the Ikotun area of Lagos state and attempted jumping into the lagoon on the Third Mainland Bridge during the Eid-el-Kabir festival on Friday to commit suicide over an unpaid debt was rescued by Police officers. His debt has been paid by governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

A statement signed by Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana  disclosed  that men of the Lagos State Police Command prevented the businessman from taking his life over unpaid debts.

Abiodun had approached a microfinance bank for N390,000 to boost his business but could not repay the loan and the accrued interest. This is because, according to him,  the business turned out to be unsuccessful.

Worried by his inability to repay the loan, Abiodun decied to end it all by plunging into Lagos  lagoon.

It was learnt that policemen attached to the Bariga Division, who had been watching Abiodun closely, quickly rescued him from the suicide mission.

The father of two said during interrogation that the reason he attempted to take his life was because of his indebtedness.

Elkana stated, “On Friday, July 31, 2020, around 1.50pm, police operatives deployed on the Third Mainland Bridge intercepted one Adeyinka Abiodun who stays at 45, Abaranje Road, Ikotun. While attempting to jump into the lagoon, he was rescued and taken to the Bariga Police Station for questioning.

“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.

“Adeyinka 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.”

Elkana stated that 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.

Explaining that Abiodun’s case was the eighth suicidal attempt prevented in the state in the last two months, the PPRO stated that the state Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, urged Lagos residents to explore other means of addressing life challenges instead of resorting to commit suicide.

Elkana said, “The microfinance bank was contacted and it confirmed the loan. The state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, moved with compassion, came to the rescue of the victim by repaying the loan.

“Worried by the suicide mission rate, Police Commissioner, Hakeem Odumosu, enjoined Lagosians to always explore other means of addressing life challenges other than resorting to suicide.

This is the eighth 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 underprivileged persons around them. Together, we can stop suicide.”