Nigeria Police has rescued a man in Anambra State who tried to end his life by climbing a high-tension electricity pole in Onitsha, in an incident highlighting the growing toll of Nigeria’s economic hardship.
Officers rushed to the Awada district on Tuesday evening after receiving a distress call, according to police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga. “The operatives swiftly cordoned off the area to prevent danger and calmed the crowd,” Ikenga said.
After several tense minutes of persuasion by both officers and concerned onlookers, the man agreed to climb down. He was taken into protective custody, identified, and later transferred for medical and mental health evaluation on the orders of State Commissioner of Police Ikioye Orutugu.
“The Command will ensure the victim gets the needed support,” Orutugu said, urging Nigerians to seek help from family, friends, or lawful groups during times of crisis. Witnesses told Reuters the man had been struggling with financial pressures, echoing widespread complaints as food inflation hit 34.1% in July, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
Nigeria, Africa’s biggest economy, has been battling record-high living costs, with fuel and power prices more than doubling in a year. Experts say the stress is driving more Nigerians into depression and risky behaviour.
“This is a wake-up call,” said community leader Ifeanyi Okeke, who was at the scene. “People need real relief, not just words.”
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