Another Suicide: Shocking Mystery Behind Deaths At Lagos Lagoon Of Doom

Lagos lagoon

The New Victim

A 21 year old man identified as Daibo Toju Davies committed suicide
yesterday, February 15, by jumping into the lagoon from the Third Mainland Bridge inward Adeniji Adele Road.

It was discovered that he was a resident of Sosanya Street, Soluyi, Gbagada area of Lagos, and is feared dead as a combined rescue team of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Marine Police, and local divers swept the lagoon as of 7pm on Saturday, but found no trace of Daibo.

It was also learnt that Davies had activated a Uber cab from Mercy hospital, Gbagada and on getting to the spot around 11 am, he begged the driver to stop so he could urinate. Before anyone could say 'Jack', he reportedly climbed the pavement of the bridge and plunged into the water. Search and rescue teams have since called off the search for Daibo Davies.

A Brief History Of Recent Suicides And Foiled Suicide Attempts In The Last Three Years

In March 2017, a medical doctor, identified as Allwell Orji, had asked his driver to park on the bridge, then he alighted from the car and hurriedly plunged into the Lagos lagoon.

A few days later, a 65- year - old textile dealer on Lagos Island, Titilayo Momoh contemplated suicide at the same spot. The woman was at the verge of jumping into the lagoon, but was rescued by policemen on patrol before she could jump in. She had then revealed that she was tired of life as a result of a huge debt hanging on her neck.

In November 2018, Sherriff Oladejo, a middle - aged man and an official of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria went on a suicide mission on the Third Mainland Bridge. That day, there was light traffic along UNILAG waterfront end of the bridge as a result of a vehicle that broke down on the road. Oladejo, who was sitting at the back of a car, suddenly opened the door, clung to the railings of the bridge and plunged into the lagoon.

In May 2019, an unemployed Accounting graduate attempted a suicide at the same spot but was rescued by some RRS men.

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Five months later, in October 2019, LASEMA rescued Ayinla Rilwan another person who attempted to take his life by diving into the lagoon from the bridge.

All these incidents are reinforcing the belief that Third Mainland Bridge had become a preferred suicide spot in the state.

Reason For Increased Suicide Rates?

Without a doubt, one obvious consequence of the ranging economic recession in the country is depression. From all indications, the nation’s tough economic situation has increased the number of citizens who run the risk of clinical depression.

According to reports, the rate of marital break ups has increased while matrimonial violence occasioned by economic woes has equally multiplied significantly. All these could be reasons for the hike in suicidal thoughts.

Why The Lagos Lagoon Has Become An Attractive Suicide Spot?

One of the unique features of Lagos is its Lagoon. The Lagos Lagoon, which is more than 50km long and 3 to 13km wide, is a beauty to behold. It is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by long sand spit 2 to 5 km wide, which has swampy margins on the lagoon side.

So is it the beauty, the calmness it represents or is there something else?

Myths;

An Ancient myth suggests that most waters are homes to the many souls of those who died in them. Hence souls of those lost at that spot in the lagoon seem to sense other depressed souls and call out to them with a promise of calmness. However, For the living souls who hear these calls, the result, if there's no immediate rescue, is the tragic news of a suicide death by drowning.