How Lagos Police RRS Stopped Mother and Child from Jumping Over 3rd Mainland Bridge

Men of the police Rapid Response Squad (RRS) on Wednesday evening prevented a mother of four from committing suicide by jumping into the Lagos lagoon with her child, a 12-month old baby.

The mother of four, Halimat Adegoke (not her real name), aged 27, was restrained by two RRS officers from plunging into the lagoon. A cab driver was said to have drawn the attention of the RRS riders on patrol of the area around 5pm on Wednesday.

mother and child

It is not the first time the RRS would carry out such last minute life-saving intervention. In March this year, according to The Nation, a 17-year-old secondary school leaver named Lanre (not his real name) was similarly saved by RRS operatives from jumping into the lagoon from the 3rd mainland bridge at night.

One might wonder why anyone would want to jump over the 3rd mainland bridge to certain death and the answer is hard to come by.
For Lanre, it was because he lost the sum of N6000 and a phone – being all that he had – to hoodlums who had accosted him around the bridge area.

On the other hand, Mrs Adegoke told officers at the RRS headquarters that she had trekked from Medina Estate in Gbagada to the bridge area, all the while hearing a voice calling out to her. According to her, she decided to heed the call because it had become a constant phenomenon.

Adegoke, described as a University of Lagos drop out, reportedly told RRS officials that before the incident, she had issues with her husband before relocating to her parent’s house in Gbagada, Lagos.

The lady and her baby were released to family members on Thursday. One would however expect that considering the supposed rationale behind the suicide attempt, there is a compelling reason for the state to arrange for psychological care for Mrs Adegoke and the protection of her child.


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