Kano man attempts suicide after he fails to secure Japa visa and is left with N2m debt

MEN of the Kano State Fire Service have managed to rescue a 37-year old man who attempted to commit suicide by hanging himself from a tree after failing to secure a foreign travel visa and being left in debt as a result of the failed bid.

Known as the Japa Syndrome, there is a growing trend among young Nigerians to travel abroad in response to falling living standards in the country. Across Europe in particular, there has been a growing demand for healthcare and social care workers following the Coronavirus pandemic and Nigerians have been keep to latch on to these offers.

Yesterday, Saifillahi Rabiu, 37, attempted to commit suicide after his attempt to join the ranks of migrant workers failed when he was denied a visa. Alhaji Saminu Abdullahi, a spokesman for the Kano State Fire Service, stated that the incident happened on State Road in Tarauni Local Government Area of Kano.

Alhaji Abdullahi said: “We received a distress call at about 10.07 am from the Ministry of Works and Housing, Kano State, about a suicide attempt by hanging on a tree. On receiving the information, we quickly sent our fire fighting vehicle to the scene at 10.10 am and during interrogation, we gathered that Rabiu connected some people to those that process travel visas to foreign countries, which was successful.

“Those he tried to help, however, rejected the visa, saying it was not the type they paid for and demanded for a refund of their money already paid to the processors. We reliably gathered that he was able to raise half-a-million naira only but pressure and threats from the people he wanted to assist made him to try to take his own life."

Rabiu, a resident of Semegu Quarters, attempted to hang himself over his inability to refund the N2m ($2,227) he owed to those who tried to assist him in obtaining a travel visa. He was however, rescued alive and handed over to the Farm Centre Police Division for further interrogation and he may be charged with attempted suicide.