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 October 2023.

CASE ONE

Story Title: 29-year-old Nigerian man commits suicide over inability to repay business loan

Victim’s Name: Terver Orfega

Marital Status: Not given

Date: Tueday, October, 31

Gender: Male

Age: 29

Method: Sniper

Reason: Not given

Type: Suicide

Occupation: Business owner

State Where incident Happened: Abuja

Victim’s State of Origin: Benue

Story Summary:

A 29-year-old man from Benue State, Terver Orfega has committed suicide over his inability to repay a business loan.

Until his untimely death, Orfega was the Manager of Second Pot Restaurant, located along Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja.

It was gathered that he allegedly got a loan facility to fund his business.

However, he fell into depression after making unsuccessful efforts to repay the loan.

Orfega was found dead in his private room at a hotel in Garki on October 31, 2023, after drinking a harmful substance suspected to be sniper.

Source:https://www.lindaikejisblog.com/2023/11/29-year-old-nigerian-man-commits-suicide-over-inability-to-repay-business-loan-2.html