People experience suicidal thoughts due to various reasons such as frustration, depression, failed relationship, mental health challenge, academic failure, among others. 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. Well, 2019 saw a number of incidents reported in social and mainstream media. But 2020 witnessed a slight drop in suicide incidents in Nigeria as reported in the media. Also, the leading method of suicide shifted from use of sniper insecticide which came tops in 2019, to hanging which topped in 2020. We continue our record on suicide incidents in 2022.
Here’s a list of suicide incidents that occurred in March 2022, as reported in the media.
CASE ONE
Story Title: Ogun contractor kills girlfriend, writes wife, commits suicide
Victim’s Name: Hakeem Oladimeji
Marital Status: Married
Date: Tuesday, March 4 (Reported)
Gender: Male
Age: Not given
Method: Sniper
Reason: Not given
Type: Murder-Suicide
Occupation: Contractor
State Where incident Happened: Lagos
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
A contractor, Hakeem Oladimeji, has allegedly committed suicide after killing his yet-to-be-identified girlfriend in the Bariga area of Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro gathered that Oladimeji, who lived in Ogun State, was with his girlfriend in a rented apartment around Bariga when an argument ensued between them.
The argument was said to have degenerated into a fight and in the process, Oladimeji reached for a stick and hit her in the head.
It was learnt that the lady slump and died on the spot.
In a bid to escape being arrested, Oladimeji reportedly carried her lifeless body, dumped it inside his Toyota Sienna and drove to his residence in Ogun State.
Source: Punch
CASE TWO
Story Title: UNIJOS student commits suicide over ASUU strike
Victim’s Name: Henry Ehis
Marital Status: Single
Date: Tuesday, March 9 (Reported)
Gender: Male
Age: Not given
Method: Not given
Reason: Frustration (over ASUU strike)
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Student
State Where incident Happened: Plateau
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
A 300-level student of the University of Jos at the weekend committed suicide over the ongoing strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) nationwide.
The deceased, Henry Ehis, of the Department of Actuarial Science of the Faculty of Management Science, of the University, was found dead last week at the Faculty.
The Guardian learnt that the deceased left a short note on his lifeless body to his parents, expressing his dissatisfaction with the current ASUU strike.
But some residents said suicide was not the best option.
Source: The Guardian
CASE THREE
Story Title: Young man commits suicide in Delta, residents suspect mental crisis
Victim’s Name: Ochuko
Marital Status: Not given
Date: Tuesday, March 7 (Reported)
Gender: Male
Age: Not given
Method: Not given
Reason: Not given
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Employed
State Where incident Happened: Delta
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
A young horticulturist at the Seplat office in Sapele, Delta State, has allegedly committed suicide.
The victim, however, gave no reason for his action.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the young man, identified simply as Ochuko, lived on Onamate Street, Off New Ogorode Road, Sapele.
Sources disclosed that he suffered from mental illness as he allegedly complained of an invincible hand slapping him before the incident.
It was also learnt that he recently had issues with his girlfriend.
Source: Punch
CASE FOUR
Story Title: 42-year-old native doctor hangs self in Benue
Victim’s Name: Terhemen Iorbee
Marital Status: Married
Date: Tuesday, March 6 (Reported)
Gender: Male
Age: 42
Method: Hanging
Reason: Not given
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Self-Employed (Native doctor)
State Where incident Happened: Benue
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
Residents of Mbakuha council ward in Ushongo Local Government Area of Benue State were thrown into confusion as a 42-year-old native doctor committed suicide by hanging.
The native doctor, identified as Terhemen Iorbee, was earlier declared missing before his body was later found hung on a tree.
The incident, which happened at the weekend, was said to have jolted the residents.
Although no suicide note was found to ascertain the cause of his suicide, locals in the area said that the deceased had manifested strange behaviours in recent times.
Source: Punch
CASE FIVE
Story Title: 24 year-old groom commits suicide in Delta
Victim’s Name: Chukwuka Igbonekwu
Marital Status: Single
Date: Thursday, March 10
Gender: Male
Age: 24
Method: Sniper
Reason: Relationship related
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Not given
State Where incident Happened: Delta
Victim’s State of Origin: Enugu
Story Summary:
A 24-year-old Chukwuka Igbonekwu has reportedly died after drinking sniper at the weekend at Ambrose Okereke Street, behind Steve Keshi Stadium in Asaba, Delta State.
The Guardian learnt Igbonekwu, who was planning his traditional marriage and wedding for next month, April 19, and Wednesday, 20, 2022, committed suicide on the allegation that his girlfriend accused him of planning to marry another lady.
Source: The Guardian
CASE SIX
Story Title: Final year FUTO engineering student commits suicide
Victim’s Name: Precious
Marital Status: Single
Date: Thursday, March 26
Gender: Male
Age: Not given
Method: Sniper
Reason: Not given
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Student
State Where incident Happened: Imo
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
The lifeless body of a final year student of the Federal University of Technology Owerri, (FUTO) has been found in an alleged suicide move.
The Department of Petroleum Engineering student simply identified as Precious, was found dead close to his residence at Umuchima Ihiagwa in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo state.
According to a source, Precious died on the evening of Saturday, March 26th, and a bottle of a poisonous substance called ”snipper” was found in his room suggesting he might have taken his life using the substance.
Source: Myschool.ng