The Nation Newspaper

Tag: lagoon

  • Suicide: Two women stopped from jumping into Lagos Lagoon

    Suicide: Two women stopped from jumping into Lagos Lagoon

    Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad of the Lagos state Police Command on Friday morning prevented yet another woman from committing suicide by leaping into the Lagoon.

    One Mrs. Abigael Ogunyinka had also been rescued earlier  by fishermen in Lagos Lagoon Friday morning,

    The second lady, Taiwo Momoh, 58, a textile dealer in Lagos Island, had reportedly put off her shoes and was wrapping her dress around her when men of RRS men prevented her from jumping.

    The lady, who lives in Lekki Lagos, disclosed to RSS officials that she was pushed to committing suicide in order to put an end to her constant sleeplessness and shame occasioned by her indebtedness to three Swiss textile dealers.

    She said her  problem started sometimes in 2015, when a Bureau De Change dealer carted away her N18.7 million she wanted to change to pay her foreign creditors.

    “As you are seeing me like this, well dressed, you would think am living fine. But in my heart is a heavy burden. A burden of huge debt, disappointment from trusting people and abandoned by a son I love and bought a car for. I am a moving corpse,” Momoh stated.

     

  • Police fish out Oji’s body from lagoon

    Police fish out Oji’s body from lagoon

    After a three-day search, the body of Dr Allwell Oji, who jumped into the Lagos lagoon on Sunday evening, was yesterday recovered by the police.

    It was learn that it was found around 4pm by the Marine Police Unit, Marina.

    A source at Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) told The Nation   that some members of the doctor’s family and his driver identified his body in the presence of Commissioner of Police Fatai Owoseni.

    The body is expected to be handed over to the family soon.

    LASEMA General Manager, Adesina Tiamiyu was said to have met with the doctor’s family and subsequently declared the search closed. He offered the family the government’s condolence.

    Earlier at a press briefing, Owoseni said the police had retrieved the late Oji’s mobile phone, which would aid their investigation.

    The investigation was necessary because suicide is a crime.

    Owoseni said the command was working with the service providers and using their technical platform to investigate who the doctor called and what they discussed before he jumped into the lagoon.

    He said: “I was personally at the scene of the incident and I was also there when the vehicle was searched. The rumour that there was a suicide note in the car was wrong. There was no suicide note. In this incident, the police are the leading agency investigating the matter. It is not as if the police are competing with any agency in this investigation. It is purely a criminal case and the police are vested with the powers to investigate it. You can get authoritative information from the Police.”

    Owoseni described as “human error” the mistake made about the body found on Tuesday.

    “The human error made yesterday (Tuesday) occurred because, as at the time the body was found under the bridge at Onikan, what went into the minds of the officers from the Marine Police was that he was the one since there was no reported case of any other person jumping into the lagoon.

    “The police concluded that the body was that of Oji until the driver came and said it was not Oji’s. The body and the clothes had been discoloured by water.

    “Forensic analysis will be done on the body (recovered on Tuesday) by the police. We also want to do the sketching of the recovered body and show it to the public so that any person who knows him should come and identify the body.”

    On the detention of the driver he said, “It is the duty of the police to investigate the any case. The public should give us time to conclude. Whether the driver is in custody is not the issue but to unravel the mystery.”

  • Breaking: Body of drowned medical doctor recovered

    Breaking: Body of drowned medical doctor recovered

    Body of the medical doctor who jumped into the Lagos lagoon last Sunday, Allwell Oji has finally been recovered.

    According to a statement by the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA)  the body was  recovered at about 4.00 p.m on Wednesday by the Marine Police.

    The recovered body was subsequently identified by some of his family, including the driver  in the presence of the Commissioner of Police Lagos State, Mr Fatai Owoseni and will be handed over to the family while investigation continues.

    LASEMA’s General Manager Mr. Adesina Tiamiyu met with the family members to express condolences on behalf of the State Government and declared the search closed.

     

    Details later.

  • Body of doctor who jumped into Lagoon yet to be found

    Body of doctor who jumped into Lagoon yet to be found

    Officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) are still searching for the rescue/recovery of the medical doctor, Allwell Orji who jumped into the Lagos Lagoon on Sunday.

    As at 2pm on Monday, local divers and marine boats were patrolling about 10 miles radius from the suspected point of contact for a possible location, said LASWA’s Managing Director, Ms. Bisola Kamson.

    LASEMA’s General Manager, Adesina Tiamiyu who was at the scene said it would be wrong to assume if the doctor was dead or alive, adding that they would rather wait till he was found.

    Tiamiyu however noted that the water tides around the place he jumped.

    He said: “We are still searching for the body. We have expanded the search to go further than the point it happened. We have told local men around to watch out for any floating body and we have engaged local divers to look around for us. Patrol boats are in the water going round. We would continue to search for him.

    “The family is traumatised at this point and unwilling to speak on the issue. I want us to respect their wishes please. We have established contact with the family and expressed government’s sincere wishes to them. We would also go back at a time they feel better because we would like to know what happen so that Lagosians and Nigerians can learn a lesson or two from it.

    “It’s an unfortunate situation. But what do we do? The driver is with the police. The police would be more involved in the investigation. If we are able to pick one or two things, we would pass it across. I am not aware of any suicide note. His phone and car are with the police.”

    Emergency workers hinted it would take at least 24 hours more for the body to float, adding that there was a possibility he might never be found.

    According to them, he body could be stuck in the ground, if the part he landed was muddy. They also said there’s a possibility the water tide might have pushed him to another location.

  • Update: Drowned doctor showed no sign of depression at work

    Update: Drowned doctor showed no sign of depression at work

    The medical doctor who jumped into the Lagos Lagoon on Sunday, Allwell Oji showed no sign of depression when he was at work last Friday.

    Co-staff at the Mushin branch of the hospital told our reporter on Monday morning that Oji  was usually on night duty.

    It was learnt that the deceased is still single.

    Further inquiries about Oji was referred to the Surulere headquarters of the hospital.

    In what appeared to be a suicide, Oji jumped into the Lagoon  at 4:45pm on Third Mainland Bridge while on his way to Victoria Island where he was going to attend a Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) meeting.

    Oji, who left from his house at Abule Ijesha in Yaba, was said to have told his driver, Henry Ita, to park his Nissan Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) marked LND476EE at the Adeniji Adele end of the bridge on the excuse that he wanted to pee. As he came down, the doctor was said to have climbed the bridge’s rail guide and jumped into the ocean.

    Search for Oji’s body by officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA) and security agents is still on.

     

     

     

  • Doctor jumps into Lagos lagoon

    Doctor jumps into Lagos lagoon

    •Police lead rescue operation

    In what appeared to be a suicide, a medical doctor, Allwell Oji, jumped into the Lagos lagoon yesterday. The incident happened at 4:45pm on Third Mainland Bridge when Oji, 35, was on his way to Victoria Island where he was going to attend a Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) meeting.

    Oji, who left from his house at Abule Ijesha in Yaba, was said to have told his driver, Henry Ita, to parked his Nissan Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) marked LND476EE at the Adeniji Adele end of the bridge on the excuse that he wanted to pee. As he came down, the doctor was said to have climbed the bridge’s rail guide and jumped into the ocean.

    Oji is said to be a staff of the Isolo branch of Mt. (Mount) Sinai Hospital.

    A commercial bus passenger, who gave his name as Uche Magnus, said the doctor jumped into the ocean immediately after he came down from his vehicle.

    Magnus said: “I saw everything clearly from where I sat in the commercial bus I was in. The man came down from his jeep and jumped into the water instantly. We all screamed and begged the commercial bus driver to stop. I saw the man when he jumped but nobody could identify the spot where he drowned in the ocean.”

    In the ensuing confusion, Ita was said to have called Oji’s mother and pastor. Both arrived the scene some 30 minutes after. It was learnt that the sympathisers at scene called the Lagos Police emergency unit, which deployed Rapid Response Squad (RRS) riders and marine police to the scene.

    When The Nation got to the scene at 5:30pm, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), RRS Area Alpha Commander and Officer-in-Charge of Marine Police Team were coordinating rescue operation. The response team of the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA) was also at the scene.

    At 5:50pm, Oji’s SUV and his driver were moved to the Adeniji Central Police Station.

    When asked to explain how the incident happened, Ita, who was yet to come to terms with the incident, said could not utter a word as he was being led into the DPO’s office. He folded his arms and looked at the floor.

    Oji’s mother was restless, as she was being consoled by the pastor. The pastor came out of the DPO’s office to pray beside Oji’s SUV. As he said the prayers, he moved round the vehicle with the hope that the rescue opera

    The Nation was not allowed to speak to the driver. At the time of this report, operatives of RRS and Marine Police Unit were still searching for the victim.

    General Manager Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Adesina Tiamiyu, confirmed the incident.

    He said: “The Agency received a distress call about a man who parked his grey coloured Nissan Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) with registration number LND 476 EE at about 4.50pm today Sunday, (yesterday) around Adekunle, inward Third Mainland Bridge and jumped into the Lagos Lagoon.

    “Preliminary investigation at the scene revealed that the man, said to be medical doctor named Orji, was driven by his driver. He suddenly ordered the driver to pull over, got out of the car and suddenly jumped into the water from the bridge.

    “The vehicle and the driver have been taken to Adeniji Adele Police Station for further investigation, while effort is on going to recover his body from the Lagoon.

  • Search on for medical doctor who jumped into Lagoon

    Search on for medical doctor who jumped into Lagoon

    Search and rescue efforts by officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency are on for a Medical Doctor who reportedly jumped into the Lagoon on the Third Mainland Bridge.

    Spokesman of  LASEMA Kehinde Adebayo said the agency was alerted by concerned Nigerians. He identified the man as Orji. He did not give any other name.

    Earlier reports had said the man was a medical doctor. Reports said he ordered the driver of his Nissan X-trail, LND 476 EE to stop on the bridge. Then he reportedly ran out and jumped into the water.

    According to Adebayo: “The Agency received a distress call of a man who parked his grey coloured Nissan SUV with registration number LND 476 EE at about 4.50 pm today Sunday.

    “The incident happened around Adekunle, inward 3rd Mainland bridge and jumped into the Lagos Lagoon.

    “Preliminary investigation at the scene revealed that the man, said to be a medical doctor named Orji who was said to be driven by his driver and suddenly ordered the driver to pull over.

    “ He dropped from the car and suddenly jumped into the water from the bridge. The vehicle and the driver have been taken to Adeniji Adele Police Station for further investigation.

    “There are efforts to recover his body from the Lagoon,” he said.

    The spokesman said that the General Manager of LASEMA, Mr Adesina Tiamiyu has assured for a proper investigation on the incident by the appropriate authorities

  • Woman drowns as car plunges into Lagoon

    Woman drowns as car plunges into Lagoon

    A woman, Chinagorom Adibe Fustine, drowned on Saturday night when her car plunged into the Lagoon at Mekwen Bridge near Bonny Camp on the Marina.

    The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said it received a distress call about the incident around 7.47 pm.

    Preliminary investigation by the agency’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) revealed that a silver colour Kia Rio car with registration number Lagos MUS 38 BL with two occupants plunged into the Lagoon. The driver who identified himself as Felix Aniele swam to safety.

    Emergency Responders assisted by local divers recovered the woman’s body and the car from the lagoon.

    LASEMA heavy duty equipment were used for the operation. The car has been towed to Bar Beach Police Station, and the body deposited at the Mainland Hospital Mortuary.

    LASEMA General Manager Adesina Tiamiyu said the incident would be investigated. He advised motorists to observe utmost safety on the road.

  • RRS saves teenager from jumping into Lagoon

    RRS saves teenager from jumping into Lagoon

    But for the timely intervention of Rapid Response Squad (RRS) operatives, a 17–year old boy would have committed suicide by jumping into the Lagoon from the Third Mainland Bridge on Wednesday evening.

    The boy, Lanre (not real name), a secondary school leaver, is the second child of four children.

    RRS said a roving mechanic drew their attention to a lone teenager, standing on the bridge and looking into the Lagoon.

    On getting to the scene, he was standing on the crash barrier, ready to dive into the Lagoon before his legs were held by RRS officials who took him to RRS headquarters for counselling and further investigations.

    After receiving counselling from the RRS Commander, Olatunji Disu, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ACP), the boy said he decided to jump into the Lagoon after losing N6, 000 and a mobile phone to hoodlums on Lagos Island.

    He said his mother gave him N6,000 around 4pm to get food items at Ita Faaji Market, when some miscreants collected his phone and the money from him.

    His word: “I felt depressed after losing the N6,000 and phone to the five boys who ambushed 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 buy food stuff at Ita Faaji.”

    Lanre’s mother, who is in her mid 50’s said she has been looking for him for hours after sending him on errand.

    She said: “I have searched everywhere, his friends’ houses and the entire neighbourhood. I was shocked to learn that he attempted suicide by jumping into the Lagoon. He has just finished his secondary school. I don’t know why he wanted to commit suicide.

    “He has sickle cell anaemia but he has never been admitted into 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 travelled 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.”

    Lanre was subsequently released to his mother at the RRS Headquarters in Alausa. They are to report back next week.

  • Blood in the Lagoon for private screening

    Blood in the Lagoon for private screening

    Corporate titans in the country will get the chance to see a new movie titled Blood in the Lagoon.

    The movie which will be screened to a private audience in Lagos in April, parades stars such as screen goddess, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Ufuoma Ejenebor, OkeyUzoeshi, Hakeem Rahman, Ben Nwosu, Cassandra Odita, Jim Roach (American), and Phil Simmons (American).Veteran actors like Eddie Ugboma and Akin Lewis also star in the movie.

    Blood in the Lagoon, the result of a collaboration between Tropical Gem Studios, a U.S.-based movie production company and TFP Studios, a Nigerian film production company, follows the protagonist – an illiterate and indigent boy – who rises to a middle-class position through the grit of hard work and honesty, highlights the reflection of the socio-economic issues befallen the country.

    The movie is produced by Jerry Padney who has worked on several Hollywood blockbuster movies and TV films in the United States and directed by Teco Benson. The Director of Photography is Abdullahi Yusuf while FataiIzebe is in charge of sound.

    According to a release from the promoters of the movie, “given the professionalism and experience of the producers as well as the genius of the post-production team in the United States movie industry, we expect that ‘Blood in the Lagoon’ will be a cinematic masterpiece.”

    The movie which is targeted at both Africans in Africa as well as Africans in the diaspora is scheduled for release later in the year.