Monthly Media Reports on Suicide Incidents in Nigeria – October 2022

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 October 2022, as reported in the media.

CASE ONE

Story Title: Young man commits suicide in Bayelsa over hunger and rejection”

Victim’s Name: Not given

Marital Status: Not given

Date: Monday, October 17

Gender: Male

Age: Not given

Method: Hanging

Reason: Frustration

Type: Suicide

Occupation: Not given

State Where incident Happened: Bayelsa

Victim’s State of Origin: Not given

Story Summary:

A young man has committed suicide by hanging in Okolobiri community, on the outskirt of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State.

The man was found hanging from the ceiling of a block industry on Monday morning, October 17, 2022.

It was alleged that the deceased took the drastic action due to hunger and rejection from his family.

Source:Lindaikejisblog

CASE TWO

Story Title: Man commits suicide because his wife left him in Ogun

Victim’s Name: Not given

Marital Status: Married

Date: Monday, October 31 (reported)

Gender: Male

Age: Not given

Method: Sniper

Reason: Frustration

Type: Suicide

Occupation: Not given

State Where incident Happened: Ogun

Victim’s State of Origin: Not given

Story Summary:

A yet-to-be-identified man has committed suicide in the Akute area of Lagos state following his separation from his wife.

Eyewitnesses say the man and his wife had a misunderstanding and she decided to walk out of the marriage. Angered by her decision, the aggrieved husband decided to end his life.

Source:LindaIkejisblog