Suicide on 3rd Mainland Bridge: Confusion as Doctor's family rejects recovered corpse

Family members of Allwell Orji, the medical doctor who jumped into the Lagos Lagoon, stormed the premises of the Marine Police on Awolowo Way, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Tuesday to identify a body recovered by police from the lagoon on the Third Mainland Bridge.

But the relatives, who were eager to claim the remains of their member for burial, were disappointed when they discovered that the corpse was not that of the doctor.

They were, however, told to remain calm while the search for Orji’s body in the lagoon continued.

This is just as reports from some quarters stated that the doctor was depressed as a result of a health challenge which also reportedly hindered his elevation in Mount Sinai Hospital, Papa Ajao, Mushin, where he worked.

Colleagues of the doctor at the hospital approached by Punch declined comments and directed the reporter to the Chief Medical Director at the facility’s head office on Falolu Road, Surulere.

Efforts to meet with the CMD on Tuesday proved abortive as a woman at the hospital’s reception said he was not around. She also turned down request for the CMD’s phone number.

The woman, who declined to give her name, said, “The CMD is not in town. We are not allowed to give out his phone number.”

The doctor’s family members had told journalists to excuse them from comments surrounding the incident when Punch visited his residence on Odunukan Street, Abule Ijesha, Yaba.

The unmarried doctor disembarked from his vehicle, headed for the railings on the edge of the bridge and jumped into the lagoon.

Some say depression, some say spiritual issue. Whatever the case, he needed help but didn't get it.