A 23 year old man Ugochukwu Ekwe
killed himself on Sunday (Aug. 16) at his home in Festac Town, Lagos
just after his parents had left for church, leaving him alone at home.
He hung himself from the ceiling fan at his home and was discovered by
his parents when they returned from church.
It is being alleged that he faced discrimination over being an
albino. He had allegedly tried to kill himself a month ago but was
stopped by a friend.
A source in the neighbourhood told The Nation that his parents
discovered his body hanging on the ceiling fan when they returned from
church. He said,
On arrival from church, his parents were shocked to
discover the body of their son hanging from the ceiling fan in one of
the apartments. One of his siblings was said to have raised alarm which
attracted curious neighbours. I was returning from church when I saw
people gathered in front of the block of flats. When I enquired, I was
told that Ugochukwu had committed suicide. He finished his secondary
school education since 2009. I also learned he had threatened to take
his life, saying he was frustrated. Later, we saw some policemen from
Festac division who removed the body.
This is just heartbreaking!
But since this man had attempted to kill himself before why was he
left at home alone when he refused to go with his parents to church?
We do not have any suicide prevention helplines in Nigeria. But if
anyone reading this is having thoughts of suicide please talk to
someone