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
