Nigeria Man Dives into Osun River Over Financial Hardship, Body Still Missing

A man named Femi jumps into the Osun River in Osogbo after lamenting financial hardship. Despite rescue efforts, his body remains missing. The incident highlights the severe impact of financial struggles on mental health.

Pandemonium erupted in Osogbo, Osun State, on July 6, when a man named Femi jumped into the Osun River after lamenting about his financial struggles. The incident occurred around 10:30 am on the Gbodofon bridge along the Osogbo/Gbongan road.

Eyewitnesses reported that Femi walked down from the Old Governor’s Office end of the road and stood in the middle of the bridge before leaping into the river. A nearby vulcanizer, who requested anonymity, recounted observing Femi's actions and the subsequent panic among bystanders.

The Osun State Fire Service, led by spokesperson Ibrahim Adekunle, received an emergency call and responded swiftly to the scene. Despite their efforts, the rescue team struggled to locate Femi due to the river's overflow. Adekunle confirmed that the search for the missing man continued.

Kehinde Adeleke, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Osun State Command, identified the victim as Femi, a native of Ilesha and the only son of his parents. He disclosed that Femi had earlier attempted suicide but was deterred by onlookers who suspected his intentions.

Adeleke added that before jumping, Femi had expressed distress over being beaten by a group at a fast food joint in the Ogo-Oluwa area. Witnesses said he repeatedly voiced his frustration with life before ultimately taking the fatal plunge.

As of the evening of July 6, Femi's body had not been recovered, but search efforts remained ongoing. This tragic event has highlighted the severe impact of financial hardship on individuals' mental health, prompting calls for greater societal support and intervention for those in distress.