Monthly Media Reports on Suicide Incidents in Nigeria – September 2021

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 September 2021, as reported in the media.

CASE ONE

Story Title: Teenage girl allegedly commits suicide in Delta

Victim’s Name: Blessing

Marital Status: Single

Date: Sunday, 19

Gender: Female

Age: Not given

Method: Sniper

Reason: Failed relationship

Type: Suicide

Occupation: Not given

State Where incident Happened: Delta

Victim’s State of Origin: Not given

Story Summary:

A Warri-based teenager simply identified as Blessing, on Sunday reportedly committed suicide over her boyfriend’s alleged infidelity.

The 16-year-old girl who resided at Arubayi Street, Warri, was said to have drank a bottle of banned popular insecticide, ‘Sniper.’

Blessing’s body was reportedly discovered in the bathroom by neighbours who raised the alarm.

She was immediately taken to a nearby hospital where she was confirmed dead.

Source: Punch

CASE TWO

Story Title: Auchi Poly freshman commits suicide

Victim’s Name: Solomon Oboh

Marital Status: Single

Date: Friday, 10

Gender: Male

Age: 23

Method: Hanging

Reason: Not given

Type: Suicide

Occupation: Student

State Where incident Happened: Edo

Victim’s State of Origin: Not given

Story Summary:

A 23 years old student of Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, (Auchi Poly), Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, identified as Solomon Oboh, has committed suicide shortly after classes on Friday.

The spokesperson of the school, Mustapha Oshiobugie, who confirmed the incident, said he is yet to get the details.

Oboh, who was a National Diploma, ND, I student of Public Administration, was reportedly  found dangling in his room on Friday night.

Source:  Vanguard

 

CASE THREE

Story Title: Nigerian official reportedly commits suicide after EFCC invitation

Victim’s Name: Christopher Orji

Marital Status: Married

Date: Wednesday, 8 (reported)

Gender: Male

Age: 59

Method: Hanging

Reason: Not given

Type: Suicide

Occupation: Government worker

State Where incident Happened: Abuja

Victim’s State of Origin: Not given

Story Summary:

A Nigerian government official, Christopher Orji, has reportedly committed suicide in Abuja.

Orji, 59, was an assistant director at the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA).

He was the agency’s Bioresource Centre coordinator in Langtang, Plateau State.

Orji’s body was found dangling with a rope tied to a ceiling fan at his residence in Federal Housing Authority Estate, Lugbe.

The police are investigating the circumstances surrounding his demise, Daily Trust quoted NABDA sources.

Orji died on the day he was expected to honour an invite by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Source: Daily Post

 

CASE FOUR

Story Title: 80-year-old mad sets self ablaze in Imo

Victim’s Name: Louis Onwumere

Marital Status: Married

Date: Thursday, 9

Gender: Male

Age: 80

Method: Set self ablaze

Reason: Not given

Type: Suicide

Occupation: Retiree

State Where incident Happened: Imo

Victim’s State of Origin: Not given

Story Summary:

There was confusion in Ezinihitte Mbaise Council Area of Imo State when Louis Onwumere, an 80-year-old grandfather, poured petrol on his family house before allegedly striking a match and burning himself to death.

Daily Trust is reporting that the grandpa was described by one villager as a “strange man” when he spoke with the newspaper.

Onwumere was said to have retired many years ago as a staff of the School of Arts and Science, Port Harcourt in Rivers State, where he had worked with a Standard 6 certificate as his highest qualification.

Source: The Eagle Online

 

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