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 2021.
Here’s a list of suicide incidents that occurred in October 2021, as reported in the media.
CASE ONE
Story Title: Death row inmate commits suicide at Kuje prison
Victim’s Name: Obinna Echianu
Marital Status: Not given
Date: Friday 1,
Gender: Male
Age: Not given
Method: Hanging
Reason: Not given
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Businesss man
State Where incident Happened: Abuja
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
A death row inmate, Obinna Echianu, has committed suicide inside the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja.
Echianu, who was convicted for the murder of an Uber driver, Inalegwu Ali in Abuja, last year, reportedly hanged himself with his clothes in the prison toilet midnight Saturday.
His body was found early in the morning by other inmates who wanted to use the toilet.
The corpse was subsequently removed and taken to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital mortuary while an investigation was launched into the incident.
CASE TWO
Story Title: Female Teacher Owed Salaries by Kogi Government Commits Suicide Over Failure to Feed Her Children
Victim’s Name: Yusuf Bosede Khadija
Marital Status: Married
Date: Tuesday 5 (reported),
Gender: Female
Age: Not given
Method: Jumping inside well
Reason: Frustration/Depression
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Secondary School Teacher
State Where incident Happened: Kogi
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
A woman identified as Yusuf Bosede Khadija has reportedly committed suicide at Okuhapa in Obangede, in the Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State over her inability to cater for her children.
Khadija, who was a secondary school teacher, reportedly took her life after getting depressed about her financial situation and lack of money caused by the failure of the state government to pay her salaries.
She allegedly committed suicide by jumping inside a well.
A Facebook user identified as Citizen Nagaziman disclosed this on his page on October 5, 2021.
The date coincided with this year’s World Teachers’ Day celebrated globally to honour teachers.
CASE THREE
Story Title: Student allegedly commits suicide after her boyfriend left her
Victim’s Name: Olivia James
Marital Status: Single
Date: Monday 11 (reported),
Gender: Female
Age: Not given
Method: Sniper
Reason: Failed relationship
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Student
State Where incident Happened: Ebonyi
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
An undergraduate student of Library and Information Science (LIS) Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic Unwana, Ebonyi State, has reportedly committed suicide over heartbreak.
Olivia James, who combines her cake and small chops business with schooling, is said to have consumed sniper because her boyfriend left her days after she celebrated her birthday.
She was rushed to the hospital but was confirmed dead on arrival, according to reports shared online by her fellow students.
CASE FOUR
Story Title: Student allegedly commits suicide after her boyfriend left her
Victim’s Name: Olivia James
Marital Status: Single
Date: Monday 11 (reported),
Gender: Female
Age: Not given
Method: Sniper
Reason: Failed relationship
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Student
State Where incident Happened: Ebonyi
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
An undergraduate student of Library and Information Science (LIS) Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic Unwana, Ebonyi State, has reportedly committed suicide over heartbreak.
Olivia James, who combines her cake and small chops business with schooling, is said to have consumed sniper because her boyfriend left her days after she celebrated her birthday.
She was rushed to the hospital but was confirmed dead on arrival, according to reports shared online by her fellow students.
CASE FIVE
Story Title: Man, 38-years-old commits suicide in Ibadan
Victim’s Name: Murtala Adelakun
Marital Status: Married
Date: Tuesday 12
Gender: Male
Age: 38
Method: Hanging
Reason: Frustration
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Commercial Motorcyclist
State Where incident Happened: Oyo
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
A 38-year old man, identified as Murtala Adelakun has committed suicide in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
It was learnt that the deceased was found dead at his residence around Arekemase area In Ibadan, on Tuesday.
It was also gathered that Adelakun who is a motorcyclist hanged himself in his room.
Sources revealed that the deceased used to be a barber but complained of low patronage before venturing into commercial motorcycling.
Sources revealed that the deceased used to be a barber but complained of low patronage before venturing into commercial motorcycling.
It was also revealed that the deceased who had two wives had earlier suffered depression.
CASE SIX
Story Title: 100 Level Anambra University Student Commits Suicide Over Stress
Victim’s Name: Kenneth
Marital Status: Single
Date: Wednesday 14
Gender: Male
Age: Not Given
Method: Set self ablaze
Reason: Frustration
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Student
State Where incident Happened: Anambra
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
A 100 level Physiology student of the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Uli, Anambra State, simply identified as Kenneth committed suicide at the Kosi lodge today, October 13.
According to reports, the deceased reportedly set himself ablaze at the back of the hostel building before he was found by his lodge mates.
It was also gathered that prior to the incident, the deceased had allegedly told his cousin that he wanted to give up the ghost the previous day due to stress.
CASE SEVEN
Story Title: Economic Hardship: Man Commits Suicide in Kwara
Victim’s Name: Not given
Marital Status: Married
Date: Wednesday 13
Gender: Male
Age: Not Given
Method: Hanging
Reason: Frustration/Economic Hardship
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Student
State Where incident Happened: Kwara
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
A middle-aged man yesterday reportedly committed suicide in Ansar Ul Slam area along Oloje-Ogidi Road in Ilorin, Kwara State capital.
The man, whose identity is yet to be ascertained, was said to have committed suicide by hanging himself on a tree in the vicinity of his residence.
He was said to have done this by climbing on a drum to be able to tie himself to the tree while he remained suspended on the tree after he kicked away the drum with his legs.
Why he decided to take his own live has not been known as he was reported to look hale and hearty the last time he was seen by his neighbours before he committed the suicide.
There were, however, speculations that he might have committed suicide because of the prevailing economic hardship.
CASE EIGHT
Story Title: Man Commits Suicide in Kwara Over Inability to Sleep with Women
Victim’s Name: Idris Shuaib
Marital Status: Single
Date: Thursday 28
Gender: Male
Age: 22
Method: Hanging
Reason: Depression
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Not given
State Where incident Happened: Kwara
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
The entire Ankara Wooro Compound, in Gwanara, Baruten local government area of Kwara State has been thrown into mourning since Thursday over the suicide of a 22- year- old Idris Shuaib who lived in the village.
Saturday Vanguard reliably gathered that the body of Idris, an NCE graduate was found dangling on a cashew tree in his father’s farm after a bottled up depression following his inability to sleep with ladies.
A Neighbour,young woman who craved anonymity told Saturday Vanguard that Idris once had a girlfriend some years back when he was in school.
CASE NINE
Story Title: Man Commits Suicide in Akwa Ibom After His Wife Dumps Him
Victim’s Name: Ukeme Robert
Marital Status: Married
Date: Tuesday 19 (reported)
Gender: Male
Age: Not given
Method: Not given
Reason: Failed relationship
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Not given
State Where incident Happened: Akwa Ibom
Victim’s State of Origin: Akwa Ibom
Story Summary:
A man has taken his life after being dumped by his wife.
Mr Ukeme Robert an indigene of Ibiaku Ikot Oku in Ibiono Ibom local government area, Mr Ukeme committed suicide at his home.
PM Express reported that the late Ukeme was said to have committed suicide inside his home when the door was forced open and his lifeless body was found. The decision to take his life was sketchy as he left no notes but his last interactions with people around him showed he was going through difficult times financially including the trauma of being abandoned by his wife.
According to their neighbours, the late Mr. Ukeme Robert known on Facebook as Bebeto Roberto, was visibly distressed in recent times and was unable to offset pressing financial commitments. While he was battling with financial challenges, his wife was said to have abandoned him and his situation worsened.
CASE TEN
Story Title: Ex-Ijaw militant kills self, leaves behind 36 children
Victim’s Name: Friday Igbegbe
Marital Status: Married
Date: Friday 22
Gender: Male
Age: Not given
Method: Not given
Reason: Depression
Type: Suicide
Occupation: Not given
State Where incident Happened: Delta State
Victim’s State of Origin: Not given
Story Summary:
A former dogged militant, Friday Igbegbe, has allegedly commited suicide at Ogbe-Ijoh, headquarters of Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.
The Ijaw ex-militant from Ogbe-Ijoh reportedly took his own life through a yet-to-be-ascertained means on Saturday night after a long battle with depression.
Igbegbe, said to be a title holder, reportedly left behind about 36 children and many ‘wives’ many of whom were allegedly not with him during his travails.