Man chooses suicide over N1m

Fredrick Gino, a Cameroonian who attempted suicide in the Lekki area of Lagos on Thursday, said he was forced to take his life as a result of  lack of economic assistance.

Gino, who claimed he did not know how he got to Nigeria, was offered N1 million to come down from an electric pole he climbed to get himself killed, but he chose to die than take the money.

When asked about his family, he said he had lost every member of his family, adding that his father was a Christian but he, a Muslim.

While he was on the pole, he was asked what he wanted; he said he wanted money because he was suffering.

When offered a cheque of N1 million just for him to climb down, he rejected the offer, calling the person who chose to assist him “a wicked rich man”.

The man left the scene and tore the cheque.

At another point, he was offered food, but he rejected the kind gesture again.

A witness said Gino tried to bugle his way into Homart furniture show room located at Adebisi Oguniyi cresecent, Lekki, when neighbours discovered him.

He  said realising that he could not find an escape route, the suspect decided to climb the electric pole for “safety”.

The Lekki fire service and PHCN officials tried to rescue him, but left the scene after he pricked himself with a sharp metal.

Officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), fire service, and men of civil defence finally used force to rescue him at 3pm.

During the rescue, Gino tried to slit his throat with a roofing sheet, but he was eventually subdued.

He was taken to Oba Yekini Elegushi health centre, Lekki Phase one for immediate treatment.

Michael Akindele, LASEMA general manager, said security operatives will conduct proper investigation on the matter.

He advised people to be vigilant of strange faces and other activities around them, and encouraged them to report such incidents to security operatives or call the toll free line 767 or 112 for necessary assistance.