Suicide: Confusion As Doctor’s Family Rejects Corpse

Family members of Allwell Orji, a medical doctor that jumped into the Lagos Lagoon , stormed the premises of the Marine Police on Awolowo Way , Ikoyi, Lagos State , on Tuesday to identify a body recovered by the 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 our correspondent declined comments and directed him to the Chief Medical Director at the facility ’ s head office on Falolu Road, Surulere . Efforts by PUNCH Metro 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 our correspondent ’ s 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 on Monday when PUNCH Metro visited his residence on Odunukan Street , Abule Ijesha , Yaba . It had been reported that Orji was driven in his Sport Utility Vehicle with number plate , LND 476 EE, en route to Lagos Island at about 4 pm on Sunday when he told his driver to stop after receiving a call . The unmarried doctor disembarked from the vehicle, headed for the railings on the edge of the bridge and jumped into the lagoon . The LASEMA General Manager , Mr . Adesina Tiamiyu, on Tuesday stated that emergency officials had intensified efforts to recover Orji’ s body . He added that fishermen around the area had been informed to alert security and emergency agencies if they found the body in any part of the lagoon. He said , “ Some of the family members came to the office of the Marine Police with the driver and they confirmed that the corpse we found was not that of Dr Orji. They said the clothes on the body were not the ones worn by the doctor that day . The search for the doctor ’ s remains continues . ”

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