Is Third Mainland Bridge Nigerians’ suicide ground

Third Mainland Bridge was constructed in 1990 to connect Lagos Island to the mainland, to enhance socioeconomic activities of Lagos residents moving towards the two directions. Despite its usefulness since 1990, many crimes have been reported. From accidents to ritual killings, people have died on the Bridge.

Apart from the collective crimes committed on the Bridge, world have been awash with the reports of attempted and committed suicide since 2017.  Some people rescued by the police gave reasons for their decision to quit the world. In 2017, an elderly man, Malik Nasir, was rescued. In the same year, Taiwo Titilayo Momoh who attempted to jump into the Lagoon from Third Mainland Bridge was saved by the police. Police had earlier recorded suicide case of a medical practitioner, Allwell Orji, who jumped into the Lagoon from Third Mainland Bridge.

Few days ago, another suicide case was reported. A woman was reported to have jumped into the Lagoon from the Bridge. In the last one day, “Woman jumps into Lagoon” and Third Mainland Bridge Suicide have been trending across the world. From Nigeria, United States to the United Kingdom, interest in the incident is huge.

Many questions are being asked, especially by the people on social networking sites. Many people have linked the incessant suicide cases on the Bridge to economic hardship. Other narratives abound in different fora.

One of the commentators on the Nigeria’s social forum, Nairaland, observes that “Is like this Lagos lagoon use to hypnotise people and make them jump in.” Another commentator points out that “Everybody is tired of Naija, hardship frustration depression is not familiar to only the poor, everyone can experience it.”

Considering the spate of suicide cases on the Bridge in recent times, it has become imperative for governments, especially Lagos State Government and other concerned stakeholders to find lasting solutions to the issue.