The Kano State Fire Service disclosed on Thursday that a 37-year-old man identified as Saifillahi Rabiu, was rescued from committing suicide after a travel visa deal worth N2 million failed.
Public Relations Officer of the Service, Alhaji Saminu Abdullahi briefed journalists about the incident on Thursday in Kano.
According to Alhaji Abdullahi, Rabiu allegedly attempted to hang himself on a tree early Thursday morning at State Road, Tarauni Local Government Area in Kano state, before he was rescued.
He clarified that Rabiu was rescued alive, and taken to Zaharaddini of Farm Centre Police Division.
“We received a distress call at about 10:07 a.m. from the Ministry of Works and Housing, Kano State, about a suicide attempt by hanging on a tree.
“On receiving the information, we quickly sent our fire fighting vehicle to the scene at 10:10 a.m,” he stated.
The Service Spokesperson detailed that Rabiu, a resident of Semegu Quarters, had taken money from clients to assist in obtaining travel visas.
After the deal failed, he could not refund the N2 million, and constant threats from his “creditors” led to his attempt to end his life.
“During interrogation, we gathered that Rabiu connected some people to those that process travel visas to foreign countries, which was successful.
“Those he tried to help, however, rejected the visa, saying it was not the type they paid for and demanded a refund of their money already paid to the processors.
“We reliably gathered that he was able to raise half a million naira only.
“But pressure and threats from the people he wanted to assist made him try to take his own life,” the PRO recounted.
Disturbing Suicide Trend among the Nigerian Youth
The disturbing trend of suicides among young people in Nigeria has spiked in recent years due to the deepening mental health crisis occasioned by several factors, including financial burdens, failed relationships, academic pressure, work pressure, family issues, and other life events.
Top on the list of culprits triggering suicides among the youth is economic difficulties, as confirmed in 2023 by mental health expert, Dr. Ifeanyi Uchenna.
“The rise in suicides is linked to the economic crisis and depression that Nigerians experience daily. This is especially true when they don’t have a social support system in place to help them through hard times,” Dr. Uchenna said.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated 9.5 suicides per 100,000 people in Nigeria in 2019, with the country topping the list of African countries with the highest suicide rates.
Sadly, suicide is dangerously underreported in the country. Psycho-social support and interventions for mental health remain largely unavailable, especially in underserved communities.