A 45-year-old man was rescued from attempting to take his own life in Iseyin, Oyo State, thanks to the swift intervention of the Oyo State Fire Service. The incident happened on Tuesday night at Oja-Illa area of Iseyin town.
According to the agency, the man had climbed a live electric streetlight pole in an apparent suicide attempt before rescue officers arrived at the scene.
The Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Hon. Maroof Akinwande, confirmed the development in a statement released on Wednesday. He explained that the quick response of firefighters helped prevent what could have been a tragic event.
Hon. Akinwande said that upon receiving the distress call, firefighters rushed to the scene and used appropriate safety and rescue equipment to bring the man down safely.
“On getting there, it was a man of about 45 years of age attempting to commit suicide by climbing a live electric streetlight pole on Tuesday night,” Akinwande stated.
“Our officers quickly swung into action by applying all necessary rescue equipment, and the man was rescued alive from the electric streetlight pole,” he added.
He further disclosed that the man was immediately handed over to the personal assistant to the Chairman of Iseyin Local Government Area for further care and investigation.
The chairman commended the professionalism of the fire service team and urged residents to always reach out to emergency services whenever they notice unusual activities in their communities.
The rescue has sparked fresh conversation around mental health awareness in Oyo State and across Nigeria. Many observers have expressed concern about the growing number of suicide attempts linked to economic hardship, depression, and lack of psychological support.
Mental health experts say suicide attempts are often preventable when early signs of distress are noticed and addressed. However, in many Nigerian communities, people suffering from emotional or mental distress rarely seek professional help due to stigma, lack of access to care, or fear of judgment.
In recent years, both government and non-governmental organisations have called for more investment in mental health services and public awareness campaigns. The Federal Government, in 2023, passed the National Mental Health Act to replace outdated laws and improve access to treatment. However, implementation at the state level has remained slow.
Oyo State, like many others, has continued to record isolated cases of suicide attempts, especially among middle-aged individuals facing economic pressure.
While the Oyo State Fire Service is best known for responding to fire outbreaks, the agency has increasingly taken on wider emergency response roles, including road accidents, rescues, and disaster management.
Under Hon. Akinwande’s leadership, the agency has worked to improve public trust and response speed in emergencies. This latest incident, according to residents of Iseyin, is a clear example of how the service’s rapid intervention can save lives.
Residents have praised the firefighters for their courage, noting that climbing an electric pole to rescue a distressed individual is a risky operation that required professionalism and compassion.
A resident of the area, who witnessed the incident, said, “It was a frightening sight. Everyone was shouting and calling for help. We thank God the fire service came quickly and saved the man before something terrible happened.”
