Forgive me uncle, writes man before hanging self

Taiwo Jimoh

Residents of Police Barrack, Ikeja, Lagos State, Mopol 20, were shocked to wake up on Saturday and saw the body of 22-year-old man, simply identified as Nasiru, dangling from a ceiling fan.

A suicide note was alleged to have been later discovered. In the letter, Nasiru was said to have begged his uncle for forgiveness. Part of letter reads that he was tired of the world and its attendant suffering, that it was time to go.

The incident occurred at Block 3, Flat 1, Mopol 20 Barracks, Ikeja, around 12noon on Saturday, after the deceased returned from work.

Nasiru’s uncle was said to be on a special duty when the incident occurred. But his wife and children were sound asleep when Nasiru carried out the shocking act.

The corpse of Nasiru was first discovered by his uncle’s wife. The woman discovered the body dangling from the ceiling fan when she came out to urinate. The shocked woman was said to have raised the alarm, alerting neighbours.

A neighbor at the barrack, Mr. Joseph Madaki, described the death of Nasiru as unfortunate.

Madaki said that the deceased lived in the barrack with his uncle. “Nasiru’s uncle is on special duty. Nobody expected this sort of this during this festive period. Immediately, some other neighbours and I rushed into their apartment. When we got there, he had already died. He was dangling from the ceiling fan. We tried to bring him down, but we were told to wait until the provost came. When the provost eventually arrived, the deceased was untied from the ceiling fan and lowered down.”

Madaki added: “Before they took his remains to the mortuary, his pocket was checked and a piece of paper was found. It was a letter; in the letter he was asking his uncle to forgive him over his action. Nobody knows why he wrote the letter.”

Another neighbor, who gave his name a Frank said: “It was true he’s older than us, but he always looked depressed. I was at the balcony of our flat when he came back from work in the morning around 8a.m. He did overnight. I was sleeping when I heard other neighbours screaming that someone had killed himself. When I came outside, there was a crowd. I don’t know why he killed himself in such a manner. Since Saturday, I had not been myself. I don’t like seeing corpse. I don’t know what he was going through that made him to take his life. Nasiru uncle’s wife cried throughout that Saturday. We’re still expecting his uncle.”

When our correspondent approached Nasiru uncle’s wife to comment about the incident, she declined, while some youths were sighted, discussing the incident.

Another witnesses, who simply gave his name as Mathew said that he was in the church, practicing some musical instruments when he heard the news.

He said: “I see no reason why he should kill himself. He looked hale and healthy when I saw him on Friday. Even if he had anything disturbing him, I believe he should have discussed it with his uncle or somebody close to him.”

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Chike Oti, when contacted to confirm the story, promised to get the details of the incident, but never did before press time.