REPORTS of suicide are featuring with dreadful frequency across the country, adding to the prevailing general misery. Many Nigerians were heartbroken when the Edo State Police Command confirmed the death by suicide of Toluige Olokoobi, who became a social media sensation via a video where her son whom she was reprimanding, asked her repeatedly to ‘calm down.’ But there are many more reported cases of self-murder and attempts nationwide. This trend presents another challenge for the government, social organisations, and families.
Olokoobi reportedly took her own life in the presence of her one-year-old child, leaving behind three kids. Neighbours said she had recently been battling depression.
A Nigerian Army captain, Alphonsus Bazza, also reportedly hanged himself in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, leaving behind a wife and a child. In Abuja, 29-year-old Terver Orfega committed suicide by swallowing a lethal chemical early this month, reportedly after a business failure and inability to repay a loan.
Last month, the Bauchi State Police Command reported that Betwom Bitrus, 17, of Bombar, Bogoro Local Government Area, hanged himself after telling his family he was heading for a stream to take a bath.
Two cases gained media traction in July: a 72-year-old resident of Ede, Osun State, Kareem Aderemi, shot himself with a twin-barrelled gun; and in Anambra State, a young pastor, Prosper Igboke, allegedly jumped to his death from a multi-storey building in Nnewi, ostensibly after a failed romance. Security personnel said Aderemi had been struggling with partial blindness, and depression.
A video post went viral in August showing passers-by physically restraining a Lagos socialite, Fareeda Abdulkabir, from jumping off the Third Mainland Bridge into the lagoon, while, amid tears, she poured out her marital frustration.
In 2022, 79 persons died by suicide in Nigeria, according to The PUNCH. Lagos ranked highest with 12 cases; followed by Oyo 10; Kano, four; while Anambra, Edo, Delta, Ogun, and Rivers recorded three each. Experts say some cases are never reported.
Frustration in the land, say experts, is affecting people’s mental health. With joblessness, poverty, hunger, insecurity, and uncaring governance prevalent, many Nigerians slip easily into depression, and some contemplate suicide.
It’s wrong labelling all Nigerians corrupt – ICPC chair
Suicide, says the World Health Organisation, is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds globally. Over 703,000 persons commit suicide worldwide each year, with the most common means being ingestion of pesticides, hanging, and firearms. The frequency of suicides by its ingestion once prompted the Nigerian government to briefly curtail the sale of the Sniper pesticide brand.
Social workers also say the breakdown of traditional family values, drug abuse, cultism, mental ill-health, and bullying, can lead to depression and eventually, suicide.
Undiagnosed mental health is also potent, says the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria, which disclosed that over 60 million Nigerians live with various degrees of mental ill-health. It further lamented that there were only about 200 mental health experts available in the country.
Experts say suicidal feelings can affect anyone of any age, gender, or background, and at any time. Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and frustration can graduate to depression. Parents, families, friends, and communities are therefore advised to pay attention to all persons around them.
But the WHO insists that suicides are preventable, and recommends limiting access to their means – pesticides, firearms, and poisons; identify and monitor persons exhibiting suicidal behaviour, and interact with the media for responsible reporting.
CSOs want the government to decriminalise attempted suicide; the suicidal need care, not punishment.
Government and all levels, communities, families, and faith-based organisations should collaborate to bring down suicide levels.