Rescue workers, comprising officials of Marine Police, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA and local divers, yesterday, combed the lagoon section at the Third Mainland Bridge in search of the medical doctor, Allwell Orji, who jumped into the lagoon on Sunday.
But the search ended in futility. This is just as his mother told sympathisers that she is hopeful that her son will be rescued by the emergency officials.
The rescue exercise, which began Sunday night and continued yesterday, was conducted down to the Oworonsoki end without any success.
Recall that the medical doctor, attached to Mount Sinai Hospital, Papa Ajao, Mushin, reportedly ordered his driver to park his car, a Nissan SUV, number plates LND476EE, at the Third Mainland Bridge before jumping into the lagoon.
General Manager, LASEMA, who visited the scene yesterday, stated that: “We have expanded our search to go further than where it happened. We engaged local fishermen and divers.
“Also deployed were the Lagos Ferry Services and the Lagos Waterways Agency patrol boats, which were deployed to the waterways. We have informed residents to look out for floating bodies and we have also contacted the family which is still in shock.”
When Vanguard visited Abule-Ijesha in Yaba, Lagos Mainland Local Government, where the deceased resided with his mother, family members prevented journalists from entering.
A member of the family, who spoke on condition of anonymity, politely told Vanguard to leave, saying “as it is now, his mother is too devastated. She is hopeful that God can do the impossible. She has refused to see anyone now. I will appreciate it if their opinion is respected.”
However, the woman was sighted responding faintly to condolences from church members and other residents of the community. Also, the medical doctor’s siblings were seen waiting anxiously for positive reports from the rescue team.
During Mrs Orji’s conversation with sympathisers, she expressed optimism that her son would return home alive.
According to her, “I am hopeful that my son will be rescued by the emergency officials and not the recovery of his body.”
She also stated that his son was not married but that marriage plans were on before the tragedy.
A family source, however, told Vanguard that she (mother) had earlier lamented that the driver did not tell her of their journey, saying that could be the reason why he didn’t alert her immediately the tragedy occurred.
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