A middle-aged man, identified as Olayinka Segun Owolabi ‘male’ of Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State has been saved by men and officers of the Kwara State Police command from committing suicide in Ilorin.
In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Okasanmi Ajayi, on Friday, the man reportedly said, after regaining consciousness, that he decided to end his life because he was tired of life, “having lost his job, lost both parents, and no help was forthcoming from anywhere without any assurance of the next meal.
The statement also said that,
“a passerby sighted what looked like a man hanging on a tree very close to the main road at NASFAT area along Checking Point bus stop, along Airport Road, Ilorin on Thursday at about 6:00 pm.
“His report at the Police Station elicited a quick response by policemen that rushed to the scene. The rope around the neck of the victim was loosened. He was rescued and rushed to Tobi Hospital, Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Ilorin where he is responding to treatment.
“On interrogation after regaining consciousness, the man who was later identified as Olayinka Segun Owolabi ‘male’ of No 54, Ile Alagbede Abutu Oyan, Odo-Otin local government area of Osun state, stated that, he was tired of life, having lost his job, lost both parents, no help was forthcoming from anywhere without any assurance of the next meal prompted him to decide to end his life”.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Tuesday Assayomo, who advised citizens against taking one’s life, added that any attempt to take one’s life, apart from being against God’s injunction, is also a crime punishable by law if the offender survives the attempt.
The Police boss also advised members of the public, “especially parents, guardians and community leaders to always watch and monitor activities of their children and wards and to always discharge their duty of care diligently to members of their communities, considering the global economic situation which has no doubt affected negatively the well-being of a large number of the populace.
“While promising to always ensure safety of lives and property of the citizens, the CP warns criminal elements to steer clear of Kwara state, except the would-be criminals want an accommodation in the Correctional Centers”.
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