A 23-year-old man named Joshua Babalola was rescued by the Marine Police Unit of the Lagos State Police Command after he allegedly tried to jump from the Third Mainland Bridge into the Lagos lagoon in an apparent suicide attempt.
On June 8, 2026, at approximately 10:30 a.m., Marine Police officers received word that a young guy had fallen from the bridge into the lagoon.
Quickly responding to the report, maritime police officers were on their way to the scene, where they, along with local fishermen, recovered the victim in one piece.
After he was rescued, Babalola revealed that he was a painter from the Iwo Road neighbourhood of Ibadan, Oyo State. He supposedly informed the authorities that he had gone missing earlier that day after leaving Ibadan.
When he felt helpless and overwhelmed by his financial problems, he jumped into the lagoon, he said. Additionally, he mentioned that his phone went missing in the sea as the incident was happening.
The victim has been stabilised and is currently under police care, according to SP Abimbola Adebisi, a spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command. Efforts are still underway to locate and contact his family members.
The local fishermen came to his aid and saved his life. In the past three months, Adebisi has saved two individuals from the lagoon; he is the second of them.
The police spokesperson took the chance to stress the significance of community involvement in responding to and preventing crimes.
Partnership between the people and the police is essential for effective policing. In order to avoid and counteract incidents, it is essential that residents provide credible and timely information.
He further emphasised the importance of community leaders, boat operators, fisherman, and other riverine region stakeholders being on high alert and reporting any suspicious behaviour to the local police or marine police unit without delay.
Residents of Lagos State are being urged to stay vigilant and cooperate with security agencies as the command restates its dedication to protecting lives and property.