…urge govt to ‘decriminalise suicide, improve on healthcare’

By Sunmola Olowokere

Akure metropolis and its environs shook recently when a popular petroleum products dealer, Sesan Adelabu, popularly known as Emirate, allegedly committed suicide by drinking a poisonous substance, suspected to be an insecticide, after mutilating his wife, Bolu Adelabu, with a cutlass in their residence at Alagbaka GRA area of the city; an act which caused her death.

Several months after the sad incident, his business concerns all over the metropolis remain a ghost of themselves.

Nigeria has witnessed a surge in suicide cases in recent years with several individuals taking their own lives or attempting to do so. The spate of suicides has left many in shock as concerns are raised over the state of mental health in the country. Many of the victims are young people and the reasons for the suicide are linked to hardship in the land.

In 2024, a report emerged about a man who was allegedly protesting the seizure of his commercial tricycle by Lagos State Transport Management Agency (LASTMA) and in the process hung himself on the premises of the agency in Ikorodu, although LASTMA  denied the story.

Other cases included a Warri-based lady who jumped from a flyover, a marketing employee who allegedly committed suicide due to economic hardship, and a 17-year-old boy who reportedly took his own life after being accused of stealing.

An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, operative, and a Deputy Commissioner of Police allegedly committed suicide in Abuja and Oyo State. The former Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of Konga, one of Nigeria’s e-commerce giants, Mr. Nick Imudia, on June 25, 2024 allegedly committed suicide in his home.

According to reports, Imudia, who was until his death the CEO of D.light, allegedly jumped from the balcony of his Lekki, Lagos apartment.

However, his family contradicted the claim, suspecting that he could have been pushed to his death.

           Rescued at the brink of death

Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of Lagos State Police Command, , prevented a 59-year-old man from committing suicide on the Third Mainland Bridge. The man, a resident of Ilasa area of the state, stated that he was overwhelmed by challenges.

In another case, a 19-year-old pregnant girl was rescued by police officers in Ikorodu, Lagos, after she attempted to take her own life due to abandonment and financial difficulties.

 Shaibu Yusuf, enjoyed the same luck when he climbed a tall mast in Abuja to protest the state of the nation. He threatened to jump down from the height and die, he was saved from taking his own life.

The incident took a dramatic turn as the police who were called in by bystanders engaged him in a dialogue before he was persuaded to abandon the suicide bid and descend from the mast.

                Fed up with hardship

Meanwhile, a Warri-based lady, who claimed to be ‘tired of life’, was not as lucky as she paid the ultimate price. She took the plunge from a flyover bridge to her death while bystanders watched in a stupefied fashion.

Eyewitnesses said they heard the lady screaming that she was tired of life but they thought she was making a skit video. According to them, she fell backwards from the bridge, and smashed her head on the busy NPA Road in Warri.

Similarly, Amarachi Ugochukwu, a marketing employee of a bank in Ikorodu, Lagos, allegedly committed suicide due to economic hardship.

In her suicide note, Ugochukwu said she decided to end it all because “nothing is working in my life”. She blamed the “economic hardship in the country”, adding that she could “no longer bear the pain.”

Depression, part of triggers for suicidal thoughts

On June 27, 2024, Hassan Bayaro, 35, from Giza town in Keana Local Council of Nasarawa State, reportedly committed suicide over alleged debts estimated at N8 million.

It was suspected that Bayaro, who was into the property business, might have been duped and felt he could not repay the debts.

On March 14 last year too, a 17-year old boy, Ojibe Chukwueze, reportedly killed himself after being accused of stealing N100, 000 by his boss in the Abijo area of Epe Local Government area of Lagos State.

Also, a Deputy Commissioner of Police, Gbolahan Olugbemi, on April 2, allegedly committed suicide.

Olugbemi, who served in the Lagos State Police command, was found hanging by the rope in his Ogbomoso, Oyo State, home.

A Nigerian pilgrim from the Kwara State contingent, Hajia Hawawu Mohammed, on June 10, allegedly jumped to death from the rooftop of the residence she was staying in Madina, Saudi Arabia.

Mohammed was confirmed dead by the authorities in Saudi Arabia, which described her death as “suicidal”.

A 300-level student of Basic Medical Science at Harvard College of Science, Business and Management Studies, Obada-Oko, Abeokuta, simply identified as Ajoke, on February 20, allegedly took her life.

The deceased was said to have drank a poisonous substance, suspected to be ‘Sniper’.

The victim was believed to be pregnant, when her body was discovered in her off-campus hostel room.

A 400-level female student of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Adaze Jaja, on her part, allegedly committed suicide on January 27, 2024..

The police confirmed that the 31-year-old died in a hotel room. She was found lying unconscious and foaming in the mouth with an empty bottle of an insecticide beside her.

Early this year, a woman reportedly jumped off the Third Mainland Bridge into the waters near the University of Lagos (UNILAG) waterfront in Lagos State, resulting in her death despite rescue efforts. The incident occurred around 4 p.m. on Thursday, and marine police officers stationed in the area swiftly responded to the emergency.

She was recovered at the University of Lagos shore slipway by a team of marine police officers stationed in the area. Despite their efforts, she was confirmed dead by a team of UNILAG medical doctors in the presence of officers from the Sabo Police Division.”

Expert urge government to invest in mental health services

The rising cases of suicide in Nigeria have sparked calls for urgent action to address the root causes of this crisis.

Mental health counselor, Uzoma Obiorah wants government to invest in mental health services, create jobs, and implement policies that will cushion the effects of poverty in Nigeria.

“If we don’t take action, this situation will only worsen. We need to create a support system for those struggling with mental health issues and economic hardship,” said the mental health professional.

“The government must take urgent action to address this crisis. Mental health resources, such as counselling services and hotlines must be made available to all citizens. Jobs must be created, and policies implemented to reduce poverty and economic hardship”, he added.

Decriminalize suicide, Psychologist petitions Federal Government

“Economic hardship and the rising insecurity in some parts of the country are huge causes for concern, anxiety, and feelings of hopelessness among the people. This can lead to a rise in suicide,  with some going unreported due to fear of stigma and persecution by law enforcement agents.”

“According to research, many people are faced with suicidal thoughts daily, however, not all of them will take the plunge. Suicide comes to man’s mind due to hopelessness and frustration,” she claimed.

 Bubah called for the decriminalization of suicide in Nigeria, emphasizing that the current legal framework exacerbates mental health issues and hinders prevention efforts.

According to Bubah., Nigeria, with a population exceeding 200 million, suffers from a severe shortage of mental health professionals.

She stated that the criminalization of attempted suicide under Section 327 of the Nigeria Criminal Code Act and Section 231 of the Penal Code. Discourages individuals from seeking help due to fear of imprisonment.

Bubah argued that efforts to reduce suicide rate by 15 per cent by 2030 will be insufficient without decriminalizing suicide.

“Suicides are preventable, but not when you criminalize it and shame people into silence instead of encouraging them to seek help,” Bubah emphasised.

Highlighting the social issues contributing to mental health decline, Bubah noted that economic hardship and rising insecurity in Nigeria foster feelings of anxiety and hopelessness.

‘The psychologist added, “currently, the economic hardship and the rising insecurity in some parts of the country are huge causes  of anxiety, and feelings of hopelessness among the people. This can lead to a rise in suicide, with some going unreported due to fear of stigma and  prosecution  by law enforcement.

“Recently in Abuja, a young man was reported to, have attempted to take his life but got rescued by well-meaning passers bye. However, once handed over to the police, he was reportedly referred to another agents government agency for a mental health evaluation, afterwards, he will be charged to court for “attempted suicide, disturbance of public peace and incitement”.

“In as much as this can be legally justified by the law enforcement agency involved, it defeats the entire effort that has been committed by various stakeholders for decades, to improve access to mental healthcare in Nigeria and reduce stigmas and all other barriers that make it difficult to receive mental healthcare.

Bubah called on the government and relevant stakeholders to decriminalize suicide, increase investment in the mental healthcare sector, and work towards reducing the suicide rate by at least 15 per cent by 2030.

She emphasized that mental well-being is crucial for a thriving society and “abolishing such obsolete laws that have existed since colonial times, will promote help-seeking behaviour, without any fear. It will ensure that when people are struggling with suicidal thoughts, they will speak up and likely seek help.”

Right to die

While suicide remains a criminal offense in Nigeria, in the United Kingdom, it is no longer a criminal act, under section 2 of the Suicide Act 1961. it remains a criminal offense for a third party to assist or encourage another to commit suicide. Prosecution for this offense can only be brought with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions, according to a judicial journal published by the UK government.

In recent years there has been something of a shift in public and medical opinion as to whether assisted suicide should remain completely criminal, although the debate remains highly polarised.

An individual’s “right to die” is becoming more accepted across the globe. Polls show that most Americans support allowing doctors to end a patient’s life upon their request. Assisted suicide is now permitted in 10 U.S. states and Washington. In 2025, five more states are set to consider “right to die” legislation.

The “right to die” can refer to several means of dying. In “euthanasia,” death can either be “voluntary ” when a physician administers lethal drugs with the patient’s consent, or “nonvoluntary,” without a person’s consent, as when a person is in a vegetative state. In such cases, consent is usually given by a legal guardian or relative.

By contrast “assisted suicide” refers to a person being aided in ending their lives by being given lethal drugs and then administering the dose themselves. This practice is sometimes called “assisted dying.” These terms make crucial distinctions between who carries out the final act of ending life.