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.

We continue our documentation of media reports on suicide incidents in Nigeria. The suicide reports considered are credible stories from mainstream media or some highly rated social media platforms and forums. Here is a list of suicide incidents in Nigeria that took place in December, 2021 as reported by the media.

CASE ONE

Story Title: Osun lotto operator sets self ablaze over debts

Victim’s Name: Seyi

Marital Status: Not given

Date: Saturday December 11 (reported)

Gender: Male

Age: Not given

Method: Set self ablaze (burning self)

Reason: Frustration/Depression

Type: Suicide

Occupation: Self Employed

State Where incident Happened: Osun

Victim’s State of Origin: Not given

Story Summary:

An operator of a gambling house resident in Ikire, Osun State, simply identified as Seyi, has reportedly committed suicide by setting himself ablaze.

It was gathered that the deceased, whose kiosk is located in the Centre area of Ikire, locked himself up in his gambling kiosk and set himself on fire.

It was further learnt that before residents could realise what had happened, he had been badly burnt.

Source: Punch

 

CASE TWO

Story Title: Lagos diploma holder confirmed dead after he was filmed jumping into lagoon (Video)

Victim’s Name: Lekan Odunare

Marital Status: Not given

Date: Tuesday December 14

Gender: Male

Age: Not given

Method: Jumped inside lagoon

Reason: Not given

Type: Suicide

Occupation: Not given

State Where incident Happened: Lagos

Victim’s State of Origin: Not given

Story Summary:

The family of a National Diploma certificate holder, Lekan Odunare, has confirmed his death after he jumped into a lagoon in an attempt to commit suicide.

Reports have it that the body of the victim, who jumped into the lagoon in the Epe area of Lagos State on Tuesday morning, was found on Thursday.

A grieving family member of the victim who craved anonymity confirmed the development in an interview with The PUNCH on Thursday.

Source: Punch

 

CASE THREE

Story Title: Delta man jumps into well, dies after killing wife

Victim’s Name: Ikedi Peter

Marital Status: Married

Date: Sunday 12

Gender: Male

Age: Not given

Method: Jumped inside well

Reason: Not given

Type: Murder-Suicide

Occupation: Not given

State Where incident Happened: Delta

Victim’s State of Origin: Delta

Story Summary:

A middle-aged man, Ikedi Peter, has reportedly committed suicide after killing his wife.

PUNCH Metro gathered that Ikedi killed his wife, Prophetess Chikordi Peter, of the Ancient of Days Healing Church, Umunede, in the Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State.

Although the details of the murder were still sketchy as of the time of filing this report, a community source told our correspondent that Peter jumped into a well after allegedly killing his wife, who was the general overseer of the church.

Source: Punch