Police in Lagos say Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has settled a N500,000 loan for Adeyinka Abiodun, a resident who attempted to commit suicide by jumping into the lagoon.
Police around the Third Mainland Bridge had on Friday stopped 45-year-old Abiodun as he made an attempt to kill himself.
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, in a statement on Sunday, said Abiodun, having defaulted in repaying a loan he took to boost his business, had attempted to jump into the lagoon.
According to the police spokesman, “He stated that in March 2020, he procured a loan of N390,000 with 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 intent to upgrade 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 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 lives, as suicide is never an option.”
The PPRO recalled that the case of Abiodun was the eighth suicide attempt foiled by the police in Lagos in the last two months.