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 July 2022, as reported in the media.
CASE ONE
Story Title: 39-Year-Old Suspect Commits Suicide In NAPTIP Detention
Victim’s Name: Not given
Marital Status: Not given
Date: Tuesday, July 5 (reported)
Gender: Male
Age: 39
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 39-year-old suspect has committed suicide at the detention center of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
The suspect was arrested and detained in Ikeja GRA, Lagos State for child trafficking offences.
An intelligence officer on duty explained that while on a routine check, she discovered that the suspect detained hung himself.
Source: Channels TV
CASE TWO
Story Title: 28-year-old man jumps into Lagos lagoon
Victim’s Name: Sodiq Aremu
Marital Status: Not given
Date: Wednesday, July 7
Gender: Male
Age: 28
Method: Jumping into Lagoon
Reason: Not given
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Not given
State Where incident Happened: Lagos
Victim’s State of Origin: Oyo
Story Summary:
A 28-year-old man identified as Sodiq Aremu has committed suicide by jumping into the Lagos lagoon at Elegushi area of the state.
The deceased was said to have strolled towards the waterfront at Elegushi beach around 11pm on Wednesday, July 7, 2022.
A police source said before anyone could decipher what was happening, the deceased dropped a bag he was holding and jumped into the water.
Source: Daily Trust
CASE THREE
Story Title: Police confirm lady who set her husband ablaze in Osun has committed suicide
Victim’s Name: Ifeoluwa Bamidele
Marital Status: Married
Date: Thursday, July 21
Gender: Female
Age: Not given
Method: Poisoning (not specific)
Reason: Not given
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Not given
State Where incident Happened: Osun
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
The spokesperson of the Osun state police command, SP Yemisi Opalola, says Ifeoluwa Bamidele, the young lady who set her husband, Bolu, ablaze in their home in Koka village, in Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State on Sunday, July 17, has committed suicide.
In a chat with LIB, SP Opalola said Ifeoluwa committed suicide on Thursday night, July 21, at about 7pm.
Source: Lindaikejiblog
CASE FOUR
Story Title: 23-year-old graduate commits suicide in Lagos
Victim’s Name: Chinonso Anene
Marital Status: Single
Date: Wednesday, July 27
Gender: Male
Age: 23
Method: Gun shot
Reason: Not given
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Not given
State Where incident Happened: Lagos
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
A 23-year-old graduate of Business Administration from York University in Canada, Chinonso Anene, has allegedly committed suicide in Lagos.
It was gathered that Chinonso Anene reportedly locked himself inside his apartment last Wednesday at House 9, Emmanuel Court, Olusegun Aina Street, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi and thereafter used a pump action gun to shoot himself.
His lifeless body was discovered inside the wardrobe when police officers broke the door to his apartment.
Source: Vanguard
CASE FIVE
Story Title: 20-year-old student commits suicide in Imo community
Victim’s Name: Chinonso Anene
Marital Status: Single
Date: Sunday, July 31
Gender: Male
Age: 20
Method: Hanging
Reason: Not given
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Student
State Where incident Happened: Imo
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
A student of Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri on Sunday committed suicide at their residence at Umuofocha, Umudibia Autonomous community in Imo State.
The 20-year-old Izu Nnawuihe allegedly killed himself around 2am without dropping on hint.on why he did it.
An eyewitness, Augustine, told the Nation that the deceased was having a discussion with his mother and younger sister when he suddenly excused to go to the toilet.
Source:The Nation online