A 32-year old female staff of the Globus Bank in Ikorodu, Lagos state identified as Amarachi Ugochukwu killed herself by ingesting a poisonous substance while at work.
According to a suicide note left by the deceased who worked as a marketing staff in the bank, she could no longer endure life’s complexities, and the country’s unending economic challenges which had taken a toll on her.
Information made available to the press said Ugochukwu had excused herself to use the conveniences at about 1:00pm. However, no one saw her return to her desk, and her phone kept ringing non-stop. Her colleagues found it unusual, and decided to look for her.
Sadly, upon entering the toilet, Amarachi’s cold body laid on the floor, a bottle of insecticide (sniper) beside it along with a suicide note. Unknown to her colleagues, she had sneaked into the toilet to drink the poisonous substance in order to end her life.
A police source confirmed the sad incident to the press.
Amarachi’s suicide note read:
“Nothing is working in my life. My figures are low. My brain is clogged up. The economy is getting harder. My decisions are wrong. My mind is messed up. The future doesn’t seem bright at all. I see extreme hardship. I can’t bear the pain anymore.
“I’m sorry mum, I’m sorry dad, I’m sorry Nene, Okwe, Toto, Nazor, Chuchu, Ifunanya.
“Dear Lord, have mercy on me,” she wrote in 2024 jotter.
Suicide Spike Among Young People
Suicide among young people in Nigeria and other African countries is alarmingly on the rise. South Africa for instance, has recorded one of the highest numbers of suicides in recent times with 23.5 suicides per 100,000 population.
In 2022, it was reported that at least 79 persons had died by suicide in Nigeria. Sadly, Nigeria’s suicide rate is grossly under-reported.
As countries continue to experience economic downturns, bad leadership, and a range of other social issues, suicide is equally on the rise and many people see it as the fastest route to escaping hardship.