A middle age man was yesterday saved from taking his life at NASFAT area, along Airport, road Ilorin having lost his job and assistance was not coming from anyone.
The state police command therefore persuaded residents to stay away from committing suicide even in the face of depression because if the person survives the suicide attempt, it is a punishable offence under the law.
The man who was identified as Olayinka Owolabi from Osun State was reported to have been heavily depressed and therefore decided to take his own life.
One of the neighbours who dialogue with newsmen said, “Two women who were passing by saw him with a rope tying it on the tree and therefore stood to see what he was trying to do. It was at the point of dragging a nearby stool that they suspected that he wanted to commit suicide following which they raised alarm and some men around ran to take him away from the spot, “said Amuda Aliyu who spoke with Saturday Vanguard.
The Spokesman of Kwara State Police Command, Ajayi Okasanmi confirmed the authenticity of the incident via a statement later made available to newsmen in Ilorin.
The statement partly reads, “passers-by sighted what looked like a man hanging on a tree very close to the main road at NAFSAT area along checking point bus stop, Ilorin. 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,Taiwo Ilorin where he is responding to treatment.
“On interrogation after regaining consciousness, the man who was later identified as Olayinka Segun Owolabi ‘m’ of No 54, Ile Alagbede Abutu Oyan,Odo -Otin L.G.A 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 Commissioner of Police, Cp Tuesday Assayomo in the statement urged citizens against suicide. The CP affirmed that any attempt to take commit suicide is a criminal offence punishable by the law if the concerned survives the attempt.