Rescued Retired Marine Engineer Reveals Why He Attempted Suicide Five Times

A retired Nigerian Marine Engineer has disclosed why he attempted to commit suicide five times in Abuja.

Narrating his life ordeal after he was rescued by a team of the Federal Capital Territory Administration Social Development Secretariat (SDS), the 56-year-old retiree said he has been homeless after his house was demolished in Abuja.

Sharing his encounter with the retired engineer, the Acting Director, Social Welfare Services of the SDS, Sani Amar, said the old man had told him that it was four days already he last ate food.

Amar stated this while interacting with newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday, October 26, Naija News reports.

Amar told reporters that the secretariat received a report about the man from a staff member.

He said: “The man, who attempted to commit suicide several times, used a plastic bag to cover his head so as not to be noticed.

“On getting the information we moved fast to save his life which is in line with the FCT Administration’s policy under the FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Aliyu, who is desirous to rid Abuja of a human nuisance.

“He told us he wants to end his life because he was completely hopeless, homeless and has nowhere to go. In fact this morning, he told me for the past four days he has not had anything to eat. He was hungry and sick,” he said.

The SDS Acting Director, however, noted that the secretariat would take the man to the hospital for proper medical investigation and attention.

“We have contacted the Rivers State Liaison Office in Abuja so that they can trace his family,” he said.

Amar said the minister of state has directed the secretariat to ensure that humanitarian services are offered to the right people who are in need.

Meanwhile, in his narration earlier, the man said that he attempted to commit suicide on the Mabushi Expressway, Jabi Lake Bridge.

“I decided to end my life because I’m hopeless, homeless. My only house in Kabusa, was demolished. I have nowhere to go. I am sick and I can’t afford medical bills. Somebody took me to a popular radio station to see if they can solve my problems. When we reached there the person was asked to bring a police report, he disappeared and never came back,” he said.