Monthly Media Reports on Suicide Incidents in Nigeria – June 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.

Here is a list of suicide incidents in Nigeria reported in June;

CASE ONE

Story Title: Few Months After Marriage, Photographer Commits Suicide In Jigawa

Victim’s Name: Usman Goga

Marital Status: Married

Date: Wednesday, June 7

Gender: Male

Age: 30

Method: Hanging

Reason: Failed relationship (infidelity)

Type: Suicide

Occupation: Photographer

State Where incident Happened: Jigawa

Victim’s State of Origin: Not given

Story Summary:

A 30-year-old photographer identified as Usman Goga has been found dead, having allegedly hanged himself inside his bedroom.

The incident which took place on Wednesday within Babura Local Government area of Jigawa State, has been described as a shocking twist of fate, one which has left many in deep sorrow.

According to residents of the community where the incident took place, the development is so tragic because Goga only just got married a few months ago.

Adamu Shehu, the spokesperson of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), confirmed the incident to Channels TV on Thursday.

Source: Channels TV

 

CASE TWO

Story Title: OAU’s 100-level student commits suicide, management counsels students

Victim’s Name: Salako Treasure

Marital Status: Single

Date: Wednesday, June 14

Gender: Female

Age: Not given

Method: Sniper

Reason: Frustration/depression

Type: Suicide

Occupation: Student

State Where incident Happened: Osun

Victim’s State of Origin: Not given

Story Summary:

A 100-level student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun state, Salako Treasure was reported to have killed herself by consuming a substance suspected of sniper.

The deceased said to be of the Department of Entrepreneur, was found dead inside an uncompleted building around the Lagere area of the town on Wednesday evening with a bottle of sniper beside her body.

Findings revealed that Salako had been undergoing some emotional trauma known to some of her friends and acquittance before the tragic incident.

Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer of the University, Abiodun Olarewaju said it was unfortunate that the school lost such a promising young lady to such circumstances.

Source: Vanguard

 

CASE THREE

Story Title: Microfinance bank manager commits suicide over unpaid loans in Oyo

Victim’s Name: Sola Ogungbe

Marital Status: Married

Date: Wednesday, June 14

Gender: Male

Age: Not given

Method: Not given

Reason: Frustration

Type: Suicide

Occupation: Bank Manager

State Where incident Happened: Ogun

Victim’s State of Origin: Not given

Story Summary:

The manager of SEAP Microfinance Bank in Saki, Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State, Sola Ogungbe, has reportedly committed suicide over loan facilities in the state.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the incident happened on Wednesday at his home in Iseyin, Iseyin Local Government Area of the state.

It was also gathered that the victim gave out loan facilities to some of his customers, which they failed to repay back to the company’s account.

Source: Punch