Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested a man identified as Abiodun Onipede for attempting to kill himself following frustration from his inability to pay a debt of N50,000 loaned to him by a credit facility outfit.

The 34 years old Onipede and father of five, was said to be a former staff of Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Agency (TRACE).

It was learnt that he got the N50,000 as loan and the pressure from the creditor on him to pay the debt, coupled with his inability to perform his responsibility as the head of the family forced to consider suicide an option.

Onipede was arrested by the Anti-Vandal unit of the NSCDC while attempting to run rope on his neck which he had already fastened to a tree in the bush along Ayetoro road in Abeokuta, ostensibly to commit suicide.

He was on the verge of hanging himself when an Operative of the NSCDC’s anti – vandal unit who wanted to ease himself in the bush stumbled on him and aborted the suicide bid.

It was learnt that the Suspect, a commercial Tricyclist was a 200 level drop-out of Federal College of Education (FCE), Osiele due to financial difficulties.

He was said to have lost one of his children due to complication after a surgery performed on the child.

Narrating his botched suicide bid to reporters, Onipede said: “due to the health problem of my child in 2008, I had to drop out so that I could have some money to take care of my sick child. But, we later lost the child in 2009 because we were unable to pay some hospital bills after people have helped us in raising money for the surgery.

“I was duped by some people and they even threatened me, and this made me to leave Abeokuta for Akwa Ibom State. It was when I came back after a year that I discovered I have been sacked from the TRACE.

“I am frustrated because I’m owing a lot of people ranging from house bill to electricity bill, and some other bills. I am ashamed of myself because am not a responsible man, I cannot cater for my family as a head.

“The Lapo officials have used OPC to arrest my wife because of the money. Am just frustrated because I have to pay N3,000 every Friday and I am presently jobless. And I still have like N24,000 to balance .

“I cannot pay the hospital bill of my mother, I can’t take care of her, I was told she is now on the street begging to survive. No family to help me, we have been living in abject poverty.

“What added to my conclusion to commit suicide was due to my inability to refund the ‘Lapo’ loan I collected when I wanted to start my tricycle business. The officials of the Lapo have been giving my family tough times for sometimes now, because, I cannot afford to be repaying N3,000 every Friday.

“It was not my fault, am just a frustrated man that does not know what else to do. I wish to go back to school; I want the government to help me with a job that can cater for my family and other things that are important.”

The Public Relations Officer of NSCDC, Ogbonnaya Dyke, said the action of Onipede was a crime against the state.

“Since the matter is under our crisis management team, we have to swing into action to address the situation.

“It is a crime against the state for someone to try to take his life. Necessary actions will be taken by the Corps in addressing the situation. He is going to be handed over to the police after our intelligence Unit has done its proper works,” he said.

•Credit (except headline): The Nation

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