So Sad!! Operatives of the Lagos Rapid Response Squad today rescued a 17yr old boy named Lanre from jumping into Lagoon from the Third Mainland Bridge.
A RRS rider on regular patrol of Third Mainland Bridge was notified by a mechanic of a teenager standing on the bridge and looking into the Lagoon. The RRS rider moved towards Lanre who was already standing on the crash barrier and looking into the lagoon.
The RRS official gently held Lanre by the legs and moved him away from the edge of the bridge.
He was taken to RRS headquarters where he was counseled. When asked what made him want to dive into the Lagoon, Lanre said he was frustrated after he lost N6,000 and a phone to some area boys in Lagos Island.
He said his mother had given him N6, 000 to get food stuffs at Ita Faaji Market when some area boys accosted him and collected his phone and the money from him.
“I felt depressed after losing the N6, 000:00 and phone to the five boys who waylaid me on my way to the market. I couldn’t summon the courage to go back home to confront my mum that I lost the money she gave me to purchase food stuffs at Ita Faaji.
I don’t know those guys and I have never seen them before” he said Lanre’s mother who was immediately invited, said that she has been looking for him for couple of hours after sending him on errand.
“I have searched everywhere, his friends’ and the entire neighbourhood. I was shocked to learn that he has attempted suicide by jumping into the Lagoon. He has just finished his secondary school.
He went to Lagos City College. I don’t know why he wanted to commit suicide.
He is a sickler but he has never been admitted in a hospital before. He is healthy. If I didn’t tell you, you won’t know. He is athletic and doing just fine.
His father has traveled overseas and re-married. We are doing fine and okay with our lives. If he had returned home to tell me what happened, the worst I could have done was to slap him and threatened him to return my money for me. I know I have been an exceptional mother to the four of them. I have never allowed them to miss their father and they are doing quite well in their studies” she said
The boy is scared of his mother simple.