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Suicide is the act of intentionally taking one’s life. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 1 million people die each year from suicide. It is difficult to anticipate suicide in most instances and this makes it a terribly dangerous menace in any society. What drives so many individuals to take their own lives remains a serious puzzle though depression is at the center of the probable cause, according to scholars and counselors. The fact is that a suicidal person is in so much pain that he or she can see no other option. Suicide is a desperate attempt to escape suffering that has become unbearable. A suicidal person is often blinded by feelings of self-loathing, helplessness, hopelessness, and isolation. The person hardly sees any way of finding relief except through death.
Nigeria witnessed an unprecedented spate of suicides in 2019, especially with media coverage of such incidents. Some schools of thought have argued that suicide incidents had existed in Nigeria possibly on a large scale but most of such incidents were never reported in the media.
The alarming rate of suicides that took place in Nigeria in 2019 remains a puzzle to many people. It is now a fact that 2019 recorded the highest rate of suicide incidents among Nigerians in modern times with 70 reported cases in the media. Some analysts have argued that the media are majorly or partly responsible for suicide rates in most societies based on what is called ‘suicide contagion’ which is a form of copy cat suicide. This means that people are likely to commit suicide after exposure to suicidal behaviour especially through the mass media. Some other schools of thought say many other factors are responsible for suicide rates apart from media reports on the incident. Among such factors are frustration, failed relationships, poor academic performance, and depression. The sad news is that suicide incidents continued to pop up in 2020, a number of which were almost for the same reasons as the incidents in 2019. But hanging as a method of suicide seemed to have gained grounds in 2020 as as more victims took their life through this way, when compared with facts from 2019.
The Facts in 2019
A study revealed that a total of 70 suicide cases were recorded in 2019 out of which 74% (52 persons) were cases involving men while 26% (18 persons) were women. The study showed that more Nigerian men committed suicide in 2019 than women. The study carried out by hypothesis.com, an independent research group, was a content analysis of reported cases of suicide in both mainstream and social media from January to December 2019. The figures showed that 70 suicide cases were recorded in 2019 out of which 74% (52 persons) were cases involving men while 26% (18 persons) were women. The study further showed that 22 students committed suicide in 2019. Out of the entire suicide cases, 54 were young adults/adolescents (here operationalized as age 39 and below) while 16 were old adults (here operationalized as age 40 and above). One child (a 9-year-old girl) was involved and included among the young adults that committed suicide in 2019.
The Facts in 2020
Fresh study has revealed that 63 suicide incidents were recorded in Nigeria in 2020, based on media reports. This shows a drop in suicide cases by 10% compared to total number of incidents in 2019. Out of the 63 reported incidents, 78% (49) of the victims were male while 22% (14) were female. Another startling revelation from this study conducted by massmediang, an online news platform, is that there was a rise in incidents involving hanging as a method of suicide among Nigerians. In 2019, 28% of all suicide cases were through hanging while in 2020, majority of the suicide victims took their life through hanging. Data shows that out of 63 incidents of suicide in 2020, 38% (24) of the victims took their life through hanging, 33% (21) died by drinking sniper/poisonous substance, 11% (7) died by shooting themselves, while 13% (8) died through other means such as jumping into lagoon or off storey building, setting self ablaze, or taking other dangerous substances; 5% (3) of the reported incidents did not indicated how the victims took their life. It was also revealed that 87% (55) of the cases were suicide cases involving only the victim (which was classified as suicide in the study) while 13% (8) were murder-suicide cases. This indicates a rise in murder-suicide incidents in 2020, moving from only three of such incidents in 2019 to eight in 2020.
In terms of reasons for the suicide decision by victims, not all the reported cases in the media indicated reasons why the victim took the decision. But from the 46 reports that mentioned the reasons, 46% (21) took their life because of frustration/depression, 28% (13) did so because of failed/troubled relationship with partner, 9% (4) did so because of suspected mental challenge, 6% (3) did so because of academic challenge, while 11% (5) did so due to various other reasons. Also, majority of the victims 68% were single while 31% were married, according to media reports that indicated victim’s marital status.
Lagos state had the highest number of incidents, with 11 suicide cases, as reported innthe media. This was followed by Anambra state with 6 incidents, and Benue state with 5 incidents. Other states are Imo – 4, Enugu, Cross River, Osun and Nasarawa states – 3 each, Delta, Bayelsa, Abia, Kaduna, Rivers, Ogun, and Kano states, including Abuja – 2 incidents each, Katsina, Akwa Ibom, Borno, Yobe, Kogi, Ebonyi, and Edo states – 1 each. The media did not report of any suicide incidents in a total of 14 states. The states are Borno, Sokoto, Zamfara, Jigawa, Ekiti, Oyo, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Gombe, Kebbi, Kwara, Adamawa, and Bauchi. It is possible there may have been cases of suicide in this states which were not made public through the media. The fact is that according to media reports monitored in the course of this study, no suicide incidents took place in these 14 states. This study was based on media reports that appeared in mainstream media or some other relatively reliable social media.
How the study was done
Massmediang adopted the data journalism technique in reporting the trend of suicides in 2020. Suicide reports in the media were compiled and published on a monthly basis, from January to December 2021. These media reports were then compiled and analysed to come up with the final report on total suicide incidents throughout the year.
The complete list of suicide victims in various states of the country was also recorded in the study. Most of the incidents were cross-checked in both social and mainstream media to further measure authenticity of the incidents. The doubtful incidents which appeared in just one or two social media platforms were not recorded.
Details of 2020 Suicide Incidents
JANUARY
CASE ONE
Story Title: Corp member commits suicide in Enugu, police confirm
Victim’s Name: Bolufemi Princess Motunrayo
Marital Status: Single
Date: January 10
Gender: Female
Age: Young Adult
Method: Sniper (two bottles)
Reason: Frustration
Type: Suicide (single incident)
Occupation: NYSC Member
State Where incident Happened: Enugu
Victim’s State of Origin: Kogi State
Story Summary:
Source: The Punch
CASE TWO
Story Title: Widow murdered as man commits suicide in Lagos
Victim’s Name: Princewill Okoroafor
Marital Status: Not given
Date: January 16
Gender: Male
Age: 31 (Young Adult)
Method: Sniper
Reason: Not given
Type: Murder-suicide
Occupation:
State Where incident Happened: Lagos
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
Source: Sunnewsonline
CASE THREE
Story Title: UNICAL student commits suicide over alleged ‘frustration’ by project supervisor
Victim’s Name: Maxwell Lucky Enudi
Marital Status: Not given
Date: January 23
Gender: Male
Age: Not given
Method: Sniper
Reason: Academic challenge
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Student (UNICAL)
State Where incident Happened: Cross River
Victim’s State of Origin: Delta State
Story Summary:
Source: Vanguard
CASE FOUR
Story Title: Man commits suicide in Katsina
Victim’s Name: Not given
Marital Status: Not given
Date: January 26
Gender: Male
Age: Not given
Method: Hanging
Reason: Not given
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Not given
State Where incident Happened: Katsina
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
Source: Ariya
FEBRUARY
CASE ONE
Story Title: LASTMA official commits suicide in Lagos
Victim’s Name: Tope Akinde
Marital Status: Not given
Date: February 1
Gender: Male
Age: Not given
Method: Hanging
Reason: Mental challenge
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Latsma Official (civil servant)
State Where incident Happened: Lagos
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
Source: Ripples Nigeria
CASE TWO
Story Title: 12-year-old boy commits suicide
Victim’s Name: Tope Akinde
Marital Status: Single
Date: February 5
Gender: Male
Age: 12
Method: Hanging
Reason: Frustration/Depression
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Primary School Pupil (student)
State Where incident Happened: Imo State
Victim’s State of Origin: Imo state
Story Summary:
Source: The Guardian
CASE THREE
Story Title: Police Inspector ‘commits suicide’ over murder charge
Victim’s Name: Okon Essien
Marital Status: Not given
Date: February 5
Gender: Male
Age: Not given
Method: Hanging
Reason: To avoid trial over murder charge
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Police officer
State Where incident Happened: Lagos State
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
Sources: Premium Times
CASE FOUR
Story Title: Man jumps from Third Mainland Bridge into Lagoon
Victim’s Name: Daibo Toju Davies
Marital Status: Single
Date: February 15
Gender: Male
Age: 22
Method: Jumped into Lagoon
Reason: Not given
Type: Suicide
Occupation: University Graduate (Not yet employed)
State Where incident Happened: Lagos State
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
Sources: Vanguard, Channels TV
CASE FIVE
Story Title: Mother, child die after drinking sniper in Delta
Victim’s Name: Pigha Koboye (and her child)
Marital Status: Single
Date: February 18
Gender: Female (child’s gender not given)
Age: (in her 20s; exact age not given)
Method: Sniper
Reason: Failed relationship
Type: Murder-Suicide
Occupation: Not given
State Where incident Happened: Delta State
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
Source: Sunnnesonline
CASE SIX
Story Title: Man Commits Suicide By Hanging After Girlfriend He Trained In School Dumps Him
Victim’s Name: Mr. Ossy
Marital Status: Single
Date: February
Gender: Male
Age: Not given
Method: Hanging
Reason: Failed relationship
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Not given
State Where incident Happened: Anambra State
Victim’s State of Origin: Anambra State
Story Summary:
Source: Gistreel
CASE SEVEN
Story Title: OAU Student Commits Suicide Over Academic Depression
Victim’s Name: Oboh Emmanuel
Marital Status: Single
Date: February
Gender: Male
Age: Not given
Method: Sniper
Reason: Academic challenge
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Student
State Where incident Happened: Osun
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
Source: My SchooolNG
CASE EIGHT
Story Title: Student, 13, Commits Suicide Following Suspension From School
Victim’s Name: Juwon
Marital Status: Single
Date: February
Gender: Male
Age: 13
Method: Sniper
Reason: Embarrassed
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Student
State Where incident Happened: Lagos
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
Source: PM Express
CASE NINE
Story Title: Depressed soldier shoots 7, kills self
Victim’s Name: Not given
Marital Status: Married
Date: February 26
Gender: Male
Age: Not given
Method: Gun shot
Reason: Relationship breakdown (wife’s alleged infidelity)
Type: Murder-Suicide
Occupation: Soldier
State Where incident Happened: Borno
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
Source: Vanguard
CASE TEN
Story Title: Father of six commits suicide over alleged infidelity
Victim’s Name: Felix Edore
Marital Status: Married
Date: February 28
Gender: Male
Age: Not given
Method: Sniper
Reason: Relationship breakdown (wife’s alleged infidelity)
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Taxi driver
State Where incident Happened: Delta
Victim’s State of Origin: Delta
Story Summary:
Source: The Nation
MARCH
CASE ONE
Story Title: Anambra man abandoned by wife commits suicide
Victim’s Name: Samuel Nweke
Marital Status: Married
Date: March
Gender: Male
Age: 47
Method: Hanging
Reason: Relationship breakdown (wife left him after disagreement)
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Not given
State Where incident Happened: Anambra
Victim’s State of Origin: Anambra
Story Summary:
Source: Punch,
CASE TWO
Story Title: Ondo policeman kills wife, self over alleged infidelity
Victim’s Name: Tolulope
Marital Status: Married
Date: March 10
Gender: Male
Age: Not given
Method: Gun shot
Reason: Relationship breakdown (accused wife of infidelity)
Type: Murder-Suicide
Occupation: Police man
State Where incident Happened: Ondo
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
Source: Punch
CASE THREE
Story Title: Anambra: 85-year-old woman jumps to her death from 3-storey building
Victim’s Name: Ilione Victoria
Marital Status: Married
Date: March 17
Gender: Female
Age: 85
Method: Jumped to her death
Reason: Mental Health challenge
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Not given
State Where incident Happened: Anambra
Victim’s State of Origin: Anambra
Story Summary:
Source: The Sun
CASE FOUR
Story Title: Student Commits Suicide After Seeing Her JAMB Score, Leaves Sad Note
Victim’s Name: Zainab
Marital Status: Single
Date: March 17
Gender: Female
Age: Exact age not given(Teenager)
Method: Sniper
Reason: Academic challenge (failed JAMB)
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Student
State Where incident Happened: Not given
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
Source: Tori.ng
CASE FIVE
Story Title: Sexagenarian, 18-year-old rape victim commit suicide in Osun, Bayelsa
Victim’s Name: Amos Ojedapo
Marital Status: Not given
Date: March 18
Gender: Male
Age: 68
Method: Hanging
Reason: Not given
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Not given
State Where incident Happened: Osun
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
Source: The Guardian
CASE SIX
Story Title: Sexagenarian, 18-year-old rape victim commit suicide in Osun, Bayelsa
Victim’s Name: Not given
Marital Status: Not given
Date: March 18
Gender: Female
Age: 18
Method: Hanging
Reason: Depression due to gang rape
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Not given
State Where incident Happened: Bayelsa
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
Source: The Guardian
CASE SEVEN
Story Title: Anambra: Police Inspector commits suicide after killing ex-lover, husband for turning down marriage proposal
Victim’s Name: Kenneth Enamika
Marital Status: Single
Date: March 22
Gender: Male
Age: Not given
Method: Shooting
Reason: Failed relationship (turned down marriage proposal)
Type: Murder-suicide
Occupation: Police officer
State Where incident Happened: Imo
Victim’s State of Origin: Imo
Story Summary:
Source: The Sun
CASE EIGHT
Story Title: 40-year-old technician commits suicide over alleged erectile dysfunction in Delta
Victim’s Name: Victor Edem
Marital Status: Single
Date: March 23
Gender: Male
Age: 40
Method: Hanging
Reason: Erectile dysfunction
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Technician
State Where incident Happened: Delta
Victim’s State of Origin: Cross River
Story Summary:
Source: Daily Nigerian
APRIL
CASE ONE
Story Title: Native doctor commits suicide in Abia
Victim’s Name: Friday Onyeonoziri
Marital Status: Married
Date: April 4
Gender: Male
Age: Late 30s
Method: Hanging
Reason: Mental Health challenge
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Native Doctor
State Where incident Happened: Abia
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
Source: The Nation
CASE TWO
Story Title: 23-year-old female commits suicide in Mpape
Victim’s Name: Rejoice
Marital Status: Single
Date: April 4
Gender: Female
Age: 23
Method: Sniper
Reason: Failed relationship
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Not given
State Where incident Happened: Abuja (Federal Capital Territory)
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
Source: Vanguard
CASE THREE
Story Title: 23 Nursing mother commits suicide over alleged pressure from husband
Victim’s Name: Esther Frank
Marital Status: Married
Date: April 9
Gender: Female
Age: Not given
Method: Sniper
Reason: Frustration (over relationship)
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Not given
State Where incident Happened: Akwa Ibom
Victim’s State of Origin: Anambra
Story Summary:
Source: Daily Post
CASE FOUR
Story Title: Man commits suicide after wife told him their only child was fathered by a stranger
Victim’s Name: Jacob Numku
Marital Status: Married
Date: April
Gender: Male
Age: Not given
Method: Hanging
Reason: Frustration (over failed relationship)
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Farmer
State Where incident Happened: Nassarawa
Victim’s State of Origin: Nassarawa
Story Summary:
Source: The Nation
CASE FIVE
Story Title: Man commits suicide after wife told him their only child was fathered by a stranger
Victim’s Name: Seyi Akinade
Marital Status: Single
Date: April 21
Gender: Male
Age: Not given
Method: Not given
Reason: Frustration
Type: Not given
Occupation: Student
State Where incident Happened: Lagos
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
Source: Breaking Times
CASE SIX
Story Title: Lockdown: 45-year-old man commits suicide in Imo
Victim’s Name: Osita Ezuruike
Marital Status: Single
Date: April 27
Gender: Male
Age: 45
Method: Hanging
Reason: Frustration
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Not given
State Where incident Happened: Imo
Victim’s State of Origin: Imo
Story Summary:
Source: Punch
MAY
CASE ONE
Story Title: Man commits suicide in Nasarawa school
Victim’s Name: James Samuel
Marital Status: Not given
Date: May 9
Gender: Male
Age: 30
Method: Hanging
Reason: Not given
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Not given
State Where incident Happened: Nasarawa
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
Source: Vanguard
CASE TWO
Story Title: Banker who took N2 million loan for wedding commits suicide two months after marriage crashed
Victim’s Name: Okpanachi John
Marital Status: Single
Date: May 10
Gender: Male
Age: 37
Method: Sniper
Reason: Failed marriage
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Banker
State Where incident Happened: Kaduna
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
Source: My State News
CASE THREE
Story Title: Man, 50, commits suicide in Abia
Victim’s Name: Chukwudi Maduka
Marital Status: Not given
Date: May 18
Gender: Male
Age: 50
Method: Hanging
Reason: Not given
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Not given
State Where incident Happened: Abia
Victim’s State of Origin: Abia
Story Summary:
Source: Premium Times
CASE FOUR
Story Title: Breaking: Young banker commits suicide in Lagos
Victim’s Name: Kelvin
Marital Status: Not given
Date: May 20
Gender: Male
Age: Not given
Method: Hanging
Reason: Not given
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Banker
State Where incident Happened: Lagos
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
Source: Vanguard
JUNE
CASE ONE
Story Title: Employee commits suicide in Bayelsa after losing boss’ N150,000 to gambling
Victim’s Name: Suga
Marital Status: Not given
Date: June 17
Gender: Male
Age: 28
Method: Sniper
Reason: Lost his boss’s money in game betting
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Bet9ja operator
State Where incident Happened: Bayelsa
Victim’s State of Origin: Bayelsa
Story Summary:
Source: The Nation
CASE TWO
Story Title: Nigerian man stabs his fiancé to death and then commits suicide in their home in Lekki
Victim’s Name: Chris
Marital Status: Single
Date: June 21
Gender: Male
Age: 39
Method: Sniper
Reason: Not given
Type: Murder-Suicide
Occupation: Not given
State Where incident Happened: Lagos
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
Source: Linda Ikeji
CASE THREE
Story Title: Single mum allegedly commits suicide in Port Harcourt after posting a cry for help on Facebook
Victim’s Name: Folashade Eloho Bello
Marital Status: Single
Date: June 21
Gender: Female
Age: Not given
Method: Mixed Hypo and Dettol
Reason: Depression
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Not given
State Where incident Happened: Rivers
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
Source: Linda Ikeji
JULY
CASE ONE
Story Title: LASTMA official allegedly commits suicide after stabbing his lover in Lagos
Victim’s Name: Emmanuel Mekuri
Marital Status: Single
Date: July 5
Gender: Male
Age: 47
Method: Knife stab
Reason: Quarrel with lover
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Government worker
State Where incident Happened: Lagos
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
Source: Linda Ikeji
CASE TWO
Story Title: 14-year-old girl commits suicide
Victim’s Name: Anita Haledu Ibrahim
Marital Status: Single
Date: July 11
Gender: Female
Age: 14
Method: Herbicide
Reason: Frustration (unwanted pregnancy)
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Student
State Where incident Happened: Nasarawa
Victim’s State of Origin: Nasarawa
Story Summary:
A fourteen-year-old girl Anita Haledu Ibrahim of Angwan Dorowa Gbuja, in Akwanga LGA of Nasarawa state, has committed suicide over an unwanted pregnancy.
Investigation revealed the deceased, a student of Government Science school Andaha, near Akwanga, took herbicide to kill herself.
The Nation further gathered she was pregnant for her boyfriend whom she met in Andaha during the COVID-19 lockdown, who was introduced to her closest friend in the school.
Source: The Nation
https://thenationonlineng.net/just-in-14-year-old-pregnant-girl-commits-suicide/
CASE THREE
Story Title: Girl commits suicide over fights with brother in Lagos
Victim’s Name: Sherifat Suleiman
Marital Status: Single
Date: July 12
Gender: Female
Age: 20
Method: Sniper
Reason: Frustration (continuous fight with her brother)
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Not given
State Where incident Happened: Lagos
Victim’s State of Origin: Ogun
Story Summary:
Following series of molestations by her step-brother, a 20-year-old girl, Sherifat Suleiman, has committed suicide in Ikorodu area of Lagos.
The incident occurred at about 4 p.m., on Sunday, in Isawo area.
The deceased and her brother, who lived in a two-room apartment on Road 8, off 2nd Avenue, Olorunsogo, Yewa, Isawo, were said to always be at loggerheads.
Sherifat, who was preparing for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE, started living with the brother after the death of their father.
On the day of the incident, it was learned that she bought and ingested a poisonous substance.
When she started writhing in pains, a little girl raised the alarm. Neighbours responded, but found Sherifat lying on the floor, with whitish discharges from her mouth.
Source: Vanguard
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/07/girl-commits-suicide-over-fights-with-brother-in-lagos/
CASE FOUR
Story Title: 32-year-old man commits suicide in Lagos
Victim’s Name: Aboh Ogbeche
Marital Status: Single
Date: July 17
Gender: Male
Age: 32
Method: Bleach
Reason: Not given
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Student
State Where incident Happened: Lagos
Victim’s State of Origin: Cross River
Story Summary:
A 32-year-old man identified as Aboh Ogbeche on Friday commit suicide at his family residence in Lawanson, Surulere area of Lagos State.
Aboh was said to have drank bleach, even as sources stated that there was nothing to indicate that he was planning to commit suicide.
It was gathered that the victim poured the liquid in a cup, sat before his mother, gulped the substance and immediately began to convulse.
A close friend of the deceased said the mother, who was shocked by the incident, raised the alarm and Aboh was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
It was gathered that the deceased did not leave behind a suicide note or told any of his friends about his plan to commit suicide.
A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “Aboh was a very jovial person and nobody knew he could think of taking his own life.
Source: Punch
https://punchng.com/32-year-old-man-commits-suicide-in-lagos/
CASE FIVE
Story Title: Man fined N215,000, commits suicide in Ogun
Victim’s Name: Fatai Salami
Marital Status: Not given
Date: July 20
Gender: Male
Age: Not given
Method: Sniper
Reason: Frustrated
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Truck Driver
State Where incident Happened: Ogun
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
A truck owner identified as Fatai Salami, has committed suicide after his truck was seized by officials of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps for flouting COVID-19 laws in the state.
Salami reportedly drank an insecticide (sniper), within the premises of the TRACE after he was asked to pay N215,000 for flouting COVID-19 law in the state.
A source told our correspondent that TRACE officials seized the deceased’s truck from his driver in Abeokuta on Thursday for flouting social distancing order and failure to use a face mask.
He was said to have gone to the premises of TRACE and pleaded for the release of his truck, but failed to get his truck back.
According to the source, he had been sleeping on the premises from Thursday until Monday when he was able to raise a sum of N150,000, which was rejected.
The source said the man threatened to kill himself but was not taken seriously until he drank the sniper and died.
The Public Relations Officer of TRACE, Babatunde Akinbiyi, confirmed the death of the man.
He said, “The man was neither a truck driver not a truck owner. We only saw him there, he sat on the floor and the people asked him to stand up and as he stood up he brought out something from his pocket and drank it.
“We later discovered that it was sniper that he drank. He was rushed to the General Hospital, where he gave up the ghost. The case has been reported to the police.”
Source: Punch
https://punchng.com/man-fined-n215000-commits-suicide-in-ogun/
CASE SIX
Story Title: Lottery operator commits suicide over winnings in Lagos
Victim’s Name: Baba Pool
Marital Status: Not given
Date: July 23
Gender: Male
Age: 70
Method: Hanging
Reason: Frustration (Couldn’t pay pool winners)
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Lottery operator
State Where incident Happened: Lagos
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
Source: Lindaikejiblog
CASE SEVEN
Story Title: Jilted lover, 25, commits suicide in Kano
Victim’s Name: Ashiru Musa Danrimi
Marital Status: Single
Date: July 23
Gender: Male
Age: 25
Method: Knife Stab
Reason: Failed romance
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Private security personnel
State Where incident Happened: Kano
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
Source: Independent
AUGUST
CASE ONE
Story Title: Jilted lover commits suicide in Rivers
Victim’s Name: ‘Tailor’
Marital Status: Single
Date: August 1
Gender: Male
Age: Middle Aged
Method: Hanging
Reason: Failed romance
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Tailor
State Where incident Happened: Rivers
Victim’s State of Origin: Kogi
Story Summary:
Source: The Sun
CASE TWO
Story Title: Father of three commits suicide in Enugu
Victim’s Name: Emmanuel Eze
Marital Status: Married
Date: August 3
Gender: Male
Age: Not given
Method: Hanging
Reason: Suspected mental health challenge
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Not given
State Where incident Happened: Enugu
Victim’s State of Origin: Enugu
Story Summary:
Source: Premium Times
CASE THREE
Story Title: Father UNICAL student allegedly commits suicide after being defrauded of her school fees
Victim’s Name: Veronica Bako Myomuter
Marital Status: Single
Date: August 6
Gender: Female
Age: 18
Method: Poisonous substance (sniper)
Reason: Scammed by fraudsters (frustration)
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Student
State Where incident Happened: Not given
Victim’s State of Origin: Benue
Story Summary:
Source: Lindaikejisblog
CASE FOUR
Story Title: Married man commits suicide in Rivers
Victim’s Name: Chinedu Peter Ogwa
Marital Status: Married
Date: August 27
Gender: Male
Age: 45
Method: Poisonous substance (sniper)
Reason: Frustration
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Business man
State Where incident Happened: Rivers
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
Source: Lindaikejisblog, Vanguard
SEPTEMBER
CASE ONE
Story Title: 2 Lovers in Anambra Commit Suicide Over ‘Osu’
Victims’ Names: Not given
Marital Status: Single
Date: September 4 (reported)
Gender: Male and Female
Age: Not given
Method: Poisonous substance (sniper)
Reason: Frustration (they were not allowed to marry)
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Not given
State Where incident Happened: Anambra
Victim’s State of Origin: Anambra
Story Summary:
Source: Nairaland Forum
CASE TWO
Story Title: Nigerian soldier fighting Boko Haram commits suicide after ‘false’ theft accusation, punishment
Victims’ Names: Victor Ojeamiran
Marital Status: Married
Date: September 22 (reported)
Gender: Male
Age: Not given
Method: Gun shot
Reason: Frustration
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Soldier
State Where incident Happened: Yobe
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
Source: Premium Times
OCTOBER
CASE ONE
Story Title: Lady Commits Suicide After Losing Her Phone As Friends Mourn
Victims’ Names: Nora Able
Marital Status: Single
Date: October 4 (reported)
Gender: Female
Age: Not given
Method: Poisonous substance (sniper)
Reason: Frustration (allegedly for losing her phone)
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Not given
State Where incident Happened: Akwa Ibom
Victim’s State of Origin: Akwa Ibom
Story Summary:
Source: Nairaland Forum
CASE TWO
Story Title: Nigerian Man Hangs Himself to Death in Benue
Victims’ Names: Ernest Tsue Tyoakaa
Marital Status: Not given
Date: October 12 (reported)
Gender: Male
Age: Not given
Method: Hanging
Reason: Not given
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Not given
State Where incident Happened: Benue
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
Source: GhGossip
CASE THREE
Story Title: Another man commits suicide in Benue State
Victims’ Names: Alumun Igbaze
Marital Status: Not given
Date: October 11
Gender: Male
Age: Not given
Method: Hanging
Reason: Not given
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Not given
State Where incident Happened: Benue
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
Source: Lindaikejiblog
CASE FOUR
Story Title: Young man commits suicide in Enugu community
Victims’ Names: Ikenna Sunday Eze
Marital Status: Single
Date: October 18
Gender: Male
Age: 23
Method: Hanging
Reason: Not given
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Not given
State Where incident Happened: Enugu
Victim’s State of Origin: Enugu
Story Summary:
Source: Vanguard
CASE FIVE
Story Title: Police officer kills colleague, self in Abuja over #End SARS
Victims’ Name:
Marital Status: Not given
Date: October 25
Gender: Male
Age: Not given
Method: Shooting
Reason: Anger (over argument)
Type: Murder-Suicide
Occupation: Police man
State Where incident Happened: Abuja
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
Source: Daily Trust
NOVEMBER
CASE ONE
Story Title: Ex-lecturer shoots wife, kills self in Kaduna
Victims’ Names: Austin Umera
Marital Status: Married
Date: November 19
Gender: Male
Age: Not given
Method: Gun shot
Reason: Relationship issue (domestic quarrel)
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Retiree
State Where incident Happened: Kaduna
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
Source: The Guardian
CASE TWO
Story Title: UNIOSUN student found dead hours after posting about suicide on social media
Victims’ Names: Juba Babatunde Phillips
Marital Status: Single
Date: November 24
Gender: Male
Age: Not given
Method: Bottle of pesticide (sniper)
Reason: Not given
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Student
State Where incident Happened: Osun
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
Source: The Guardian
CASE THREE
Story Title: Man commits suicide in Kano over ‘family burdens’
Victims’ Names: Ibrahim Abubakar
Marital Status: Married
Date: November 26
Gender: Male
Age: 50
Method: Hanging
Reason: Family burdens/Depression
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Business man
State Where incident Happened: Kano
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
Source: Vanguard
CASE FOUR
Story Title: Nicodemus, 39, sets self, girlfriend ablaze in Benue
Victims’ Names: Nicodemus
Marital Status: Married
Date: November 15 (reported)
Gender: Male
Age: 39
Method: Set self ablaze
Reason: Failed relationship
Type: Murder-Suicide
Occupation: Not given
State Where incident Happened: Benue
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
Source: Vanguard
DECEMBER
CASE ONE
Story Title: Council worker owed three months sets self ablaze in Benue
Victims’ Names: Aondona Yaga
Marital Status: Married
Date: December 8
Gender: Male
Age: Not given
Method: Set self ablaze
Reason: Frustration
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Local Government Worker
State Where incident Happened: Benue
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
Source: The Guardian
CASE TWO
Story Title: Man commits suicide in Imo
Victims’ Names: Not given
Marital Status: Not given
Date: December 18
Gender: Male
Age: Not given
Method: Hanging
Reason: Frustration
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Not given
State Where incident Happened: Imo
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
An unidentified young man committed suicide in Uratta Owerri North LGA, Imo State on Friday, December 18, IgbereTV reports.
The deceased did not leave any suicide note so the reason for his dastard act is unknown. However, his neighbors claim he might have decided to take his life due to economic hardship and hunger. His body has since been removed from the tree where it was found.
Source: Igbere TV
CASE THREE
Story Title: Mother of 5 displaced by Ebonyi communal war commits suicide over hardship
Victims’ Names: Ifeoma Otubo
Marital Status: Married
Date: December 20
Gender: Female
Age: 45
Method: Hanging
Reason: Frustration
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Farmer
State Where incident Happened: Ebonyi
Victim’s State of Origin: Ebonyi
Story Summary:
Due to hardship, which she had complained about several times, a middle-aged woman, Ifeoma Otubo, whose family was displaced by an Ebonyi State communal war, committed suicide by hanging on Sunday.
She was found dangling from a mango tree by her children at their Okposi Umuoghara abode, in Ezza North Local Government Area of the state.
Christopher Nwuzor, a brother to the diseased, said the 45 years old mother of five had, sometime in 2014, attempted to commit suicide because of hardship, but was rescued by people who spotted her.
Before she took her life in the early hours of Sunday, she had complained of hardship, as she could not take care of her five children, the first of which is about 25 years of age.
Source: Vanguard
CASE FOUR
Story Title: 300L Unilorin student commits suicide over N300m Forex deal
Victims’ Names: Gbenga Favour Olaoye Akanbi
Marital Status: Single
Date: December 22 (reported)
Gender: Male
Age: 19
Method: Poison
Reason: Frustration
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Student
State Where incident Happened: Lagos
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
Source: Vanguard
CASE FIVE
Story Title: Nigerian Lady Commits Suicide after being repeatedly raped by cleric dad
Victims’ Names: Ohirenua Giwa-Amu
Marital Status: Single
Date: December 28 (reported)
Gender: Female
Age: Not Given
Method: Not given
Reason: Frustration/Depression
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Not given
State Where incident Happened: Not given
Victim’s State of Origin: Edo
Story Summary:
This is coming a day after a young lady, Ohirenua Giwa-Amu, committed suicide. Ohirenua had recently written an open letter to her father and popular pastor, Femi Giwa-Amu, for allegedly repeatedly raping her when she was seven years old. Ohirenua’s death was confirmed by her friends who also wrote several tributes on her social media pages.
Source: The Guardian; Sahara Reporters
CASE SIX
Story Title: Ogun student commits suicide for being dumped by girlfriend
Victims’ Names: Nonso
Marital Status: Single
Date: December 30 (reported)
Gender: Male
Age: 19
Method: Not given
Reason: Failed Relationship
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Student
State Where incident Happened: Ogun
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary of Story
Source: The Guardian
N.B: The cases presented here are incidents reported in social media and mainstream media which do not have very controversial angles to them in terms of whether they happened or not. These are verifiable incidents. There are some other unverifiable cases that looked very controversial on face value which were not captured here. Some of them were either reported only by one or two unreliable platforms, or the reports had contents that queried whether the incident was suicide or not.
