Police probe death of woman as suicide cases rise
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Police say they are investigating allegation that a young woman committed suicide after her father allegedly insisted on her forced marriage in Gubio Council of Borno, another statistic in the growing cases of suicide countrywide.
Lake Chad Times based in the North reported on Monday that “a young woman in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State has reportedly taken her own life after being forced by her father to marry one of his friends.
“It occurred on Sunday evening around 6.20pm, when the woman, said to be under intense emotional distress, ended her life after repeated pressure from her family to proceed with the arranged marriage.
“She had earlier told her family that she was unwilling to marry the man chosen by her father.”
Counterinsurgency expert Zagazola Makama also shared details of the incident on X, quoting a local child protection volunteer, Bukar Fantami, as describing the incident as a “painful reality” faced by some young women in rural communities.
“The emotional pain and pressure she went through because of the forced marriage pushed her into taking her own life. It is truly a sad situation that calls for urgent action,” Makama said.
Borno Police Command spokesperson Nahum Daso confirmed the incident in a statement and disclosed that investigation is underway.
Said he: “The attention of the command has been drawn to a viral publication circulating on various social media platforms, alleging that a young woman in Gubio Local Government Area took her own life after being forced by her father to marry one of his friends.
“The command wishes to inform the general public that the Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmajid, has ordered a discreet investigation into the authenticity and circumstances surrounding the said report.
“The command is committed to establishing the true facts of the matter and therefore calls on individuals with credible and verifiable information to come forward and assist the Police in the ongoing investigation.
“The public is further advised to exercise caution and restraint in sharing unverified information, especially on sensitive matters that may cause panic, emotional distress, or misrepresentation of facts.
“While the command remains dedicated to protecting the rights, safety, and dignity of all citizens, it also warns that spreading false or misleading information is punishable under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.”
There is a rise in suicide-related cases in Borno and across the country.
The PUNCH reported on October 9 that Adama Hannafi, 30, from Auyakawa village in Dutse Council of Jigawa, was found dead after killing herself by hanging.
Jigawa Police Command spokesperson Shi’isu Adam narrated that officers found her body hanging from a tree and no foul play was suspected.
In another case, a 42-year-old native doctor in the state was found hanging after being declared missing for days.
Several other incidences of suicide have been reported North and South in the past couple of years.
Mental health experts attribute the growing cases of suicide in Nigeria to economic hardship, family conflicts, and untreated mental health issues.
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