By Nudoiba Ojen
The police in Benue, Adamawa and Kano states are investigating the circumstances of the suicide committed by three individuals at different locations – Nyiniongun, a suburb of Makurdi, the capital city of Benue State, Vinikilang in Yola, Adamawa State and in Kano, Kano State
The deceased are 72 years old retired soldier identified as Francis who took his life in Benue State; 24-year-old student of Mass Communication at a polytechnic in Adamawa State, Jemima, alleged to have taken her life after her boyfriend ended their relationship; and 37 years old Shehu, a guard in a secondary school.
Ex-soldier complained of hardship – Resident
The 72-year-old retired soldier was said to have hung himself on a tree within his compound at Nyiniongun, a suburb of Makurdi, the capital city of Benue State without leaving any note behind on Sunday.
The death of the septuagenarian was said to have caused confusion in his neighbourhood as to what might have pushed him to killing self.
A resident of the area said, “It was when one of the family members of the retired soldier came in around 6:00pm. on Sunday that he saw the body of the retiree dangling on a tree within the house that he raised the alarm.
Another resident, who also pleaded anonymity, explained that the ‘old soldier’ had earlier complained of hardship as a result of falling into the hands of people who allegedly defrauded him.
But none of the family members could volunteer information on the possible reason the retired soldier took his life.
Spokesperson, for Benue State Police Command, Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident in a message, saying, “We have the report and investigation is ongoing.”
Boyfriend broke-up with female student – Source
The 24-year-old student of Mass Communication at Federal Polytechnic Mubi in Adamawa State, Jemima, was said to have committed suicide after her boyfriend ended their relationship.
Jemima, said to be a second-year National Diploma student on industrial attachment allegedly drank a substance suspected to be rat poison after her boyfriend, reportedly broke up with her.
The girl was said to be the only daughter of her father, who unfortunately had to inform the police of her tragic demise.
When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer for Adamawa State Command, Yahaya Suleiman, confirmed the incident, saying that Jemima’s father had reported a case of suicide while another person said it was over Jemima’s failed relationship.
He said, “The father of Jamima reported that she committed suicide by taking a deadly substance. Another version had it that she visited her boyfriend, a lecturer at a university in Yola, and was told to quit the relationship.
“Angered by the news from her boyfriend, the deceased took poison. We are investigating the matter, and justice will be served.”
The PPRO urged people to desist from taking their own lives, adding that matters could be amicably resolved rather than going the extreme because it is an offence to commit suicide.
Guard frustrated by ex-wife’s remarriage
Following report, the Kano State Police Command, said that 37-year-old security guard at a secondary school in Kano, Shehu, was found hanging motionlessly in a classroom.
The state Police Commissioner, Usaini Gumel, said, “On January 28, at approximately 10:30 am, Abdullahi Abdulsalam of Rijiyar Zaki reported that Shehu was found hanging motionless in a classroom.
“Police from the Gwale Division, led by the DPO, bulldozed their way into the classroom, cut the rope, and rushed the body to the Murtala Muhammed General Hospital, where a doctor on duty confirmed his death and his remains were subsequently released to the deceased’s family for burial.”
It was gathered from sources that Shehu’s tragic decision to kill himself was informed by the news of his former wife’s remarriage to another man.
The police commissioner, Gumel, however, assured the people that the police would conduct a thorough investigation to unravel the circumstances that led to the abrupt termination of his life.
