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 including 2021and 2022. We continue our record on suicide incidents in 2023.
Two suicide incidents were reported in the media in March 2023.
CASE ONE
Story Title: Police officer kills self after shooting lover in Ilorin
Victim’s Name: Olalere Michael
Marital Status: Single
Date: Thursday, March 2
Gender: Male
Age: Not given
Method: Shooting
Reason: Failed relationship
Type: Murder-Suicide
Occupation: Police man
State Where incident Happened: Kwara
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
It was a gory sight at Chapel of Redemption Agba Dam Housing Estate, Ilorin, yesterday, as a police sergeant attached to Kwara State Police Command, killed himself after shooting to death an unidentified lady with same gun in Ilorin.
The officer, identified as Olalere Michael with official number F/NO 497093, reportedly killed the lady at about 8:05a.m.
The State Police Commissioner, Paul Odama, after a preliminary investigation, said the victims were lovers, whose affairs went sour leading to the dastardly development.
Source: Guardian.ng
CASE TWO
Story Title: 20-year-old man commits suicide in Lagos
Victim’s Name: Sodiq Olayemi
Marital Status: Single
Date: Saturday, March 25
Gender: Male
Age: 20
Method: Hanging
Reason: Not given
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Not given
State Where incident Happened: Lagos
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
A 20-year-old man identified as Sodiq Olayemi, reportedly committed suicide in the Epe area of Lagos state today March 25.
Sodiq’s body was found hanging inside an uncompleted building in the area.
His father received a call from his wife that the deceased was found hanging in the uncompleted building. The father immediately alerted the police who sent in detectives to the scene. Preliminary investigations showed no mark of violence was found on the body of the deceased. The police have begun an investigation into the matter.
Source: Lindaikejisblog