Monthly Media Reports on Suicide Incidents in Nigeria – January 2023

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.

Only one suicide incident which occurred in Nigeria was reported in the media in January 2023.

JANUARY

CASE ONE

Story Title: 300-level FUTA student commits suicide

Victim’s Name: Oluwapelumi Joseph Olona

Marital Status: Single

Date: Sunday, January 22 (reported)

Gender: Male

Age: Not given

Method: Hanging

Reason: Financial challenge (frustration/depression)

Type: Suicide

Occupation: Student

State Where incident Happened: Ondo

Victim’s State of Origin: Not given

Story Summary:

A 300-level student of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Ondo State, Oluwapelumi Joseph Olona has committed suicide.

Olona, reportedly took his life in his off-campus lodge in the Aule area of Akure metropolis.

According to sources, the deceased, a student of the Department of Industrial Design hung himself in his room with the aid of buckets.

While the cause of his action was yet to be ascertained as of press time, students within the neighbourhood where he lived said it might not be unconnected with depression and financial constraints, which he battled with.

Source: The Guardian