62 Nigerians committed suicide in 6 months – Police

The official confirmation that the Nigerian economy is in recession by the Federal Government on August 31, appears to have further stimulated more suicide cases across the nation.

In the last six months, seven out of the 36 states of the federation sampled, have recorded over 62 cases of suicides according to statistics from the various police commands. Ogun and Lagos states have the highest figures of 25 and 12 respectively.

 

Although, psychologists had predicted this, while citing financial and economic troubles that many Nigerians are currently facing, many are still surprised at the huge statistics. The poor economy has compelled companies to close shop because of harsh operating environment and difficulties in sourcing foreign exchange. Consequently, many have been thrown into the Labour market, thereby increasing people’s anxiety, depression and frustration. According to Saturday Telegraph investigations, many are now embracing suicide as short cut to end hardship and economic nightmares not minding that Nigerians consider the act a taboo. 

With this, their supposed misery and suffering brought about by the prevailing recession are buried with them. Ogun The Acting Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abimbola Oyeyemi, has confirmed 25 awful statistics of suicide deaths in Ogun State. On Tuesday, August 16, a housewife identified as Mrs. Omolola Atejioye hung herself inside her apartment in Ilishan-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area of the state. The tragic incident shocked many residents as the deceased did not leave behind any suicide note. Atejioye, aged 35, tied herself to the ceiling in one of the rooms in the building located along Ago-Iwoye road in Ilishan-Remo. 

The husband of the deceased, Ayodele, reportedly returned from work about 5:30pm and found her wife dangling in the room. Why she took her own life could not be ascertained as neighbours gave different accounts about the incident. While some point to health challenges, others claimed she incurred some debts and was struggling to pay back, without success. Lagos In neighbouring Lagos State, the PPRO, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police, also confirmed that 12 suicide cases and five attempts were reported to the command in the last six month. 

Worried by this trend, Badmos said, what is important to the police is to find out why people would want to commit suicide. She said there is the need to educate those that did not succeed to see reason that killing oneself is not the best way out of any problem. “We can prosecute anyone who made attempt to kill himself or herself but that seemed not to be the solution. “The real solutions lie in finding out from such persons the reasons for such an act and talk them out of it. 

We always advise victims’ families of victims to monitor them closely because those who commit suicide do so out of depression and frustration ranging from marital, economic, loss of job and some other vices.”