Tragedy as two commit suicide in Ogun

By Imuhanni Muhammed, Abeokuta

Tragedy struck in Ogun State, as two persons committed suicide at different locations of the state.

Spokesperson of the State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, who confirmed the incidents to newsmen, said one Opeyemi Lateef, died after he consumed poison, while a 24-year-old lady, Gift Bello, jumped into a well.

According to Odutola, Lateef allegedly consumed a harmful substance suspected to be ‘Sniper’, on Wednesday in the Abeokuta area of the State.

The deceased’s wife, Gift Monday, told the police that she found her husband in severe pain, rolling on the floor while he was pointing to a bottle on the floor.

It was further gathered that Lateef was taken to Royal Grace Hospital at Soyoye Rounder area of Abeokuta, for medical care, but was later transferred to the General Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta, after it was discovered that there was no improvement in his health.

He was said to have given up the ghost at the aforementioned hospital and laid to rest at his family house in Abule Otun, Lafenwa, Abeokuta, according to Islamic burial rites.

Odutola, said "a discreet investigation and interrogation were ongoing on the matter, and that the deceased’s wife was in their custody in connection with the case".

She said, “On 24/4/2024, at about 08.00 hrs, one Funmilayo Lateef, ‘F’, of Abule Otun reported at the station that she received a phone call from one Gift Monday, ‘F’, her brother’s wife, that her brother now deceased, Opeyemi Lateef ‘M’, drank Sniper".

“He was rushed to Royal Grace Hospital at Soyoye Rounder, Abeokuta, for medical treatment. On getting to the hospital, she found her brother admitted, and he was not responding to treatment; his condition was critical".

“Hence, the doctor referred him to the General Hospital Ijaye at Abeokuta. She stated further that it was at the General Hospital in Ijaye, Abeokuta, that he was confirmed dead. His corpse was brought home according to Islamic rites to Abule Otun at Lafenwa, Abeokuta, their  family house.”

Odutola noted that the investigation and interrogation had started, as three witnesses had made statements about the deceased, pointing to the Sniper bottle when asked what was wrong with him and when they saw him in pain.

In the same vein, a woman, Bello, allegedly jumped into a well on Thursday at Arigbanwo along Mowe, in the Obafemi-Owode local government area of the State.

According to eyewitnesses, Bello drowned after she allegedly jumped into a well and was said to have been recovered from the well dead.

It was learnt that her death was being probed, as an autopsy would be carried out on her body at a mortuary in Sagamu, Ogun.

Confirming the incident, Odutola said it was a suspected suicide event and that a preliminary investigation had commenced to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Odutola said, “On April 25, 2024, at about 2055 hrs, one Olawale Sodunke, ‘M’, of Arigbanwo Area via Mowe reported at the station that at about 1900 hrs, he was called that someone jumped into his well beside his house at the aforementioned address.

“Upon the report, detectives were led to the scene, where one Gift Bello ‘F’, aged 24 years, behind Ashimolowo Shopping Complex via Mowe, was brought out from the well.

“The corpse was taken to Idera Mortuary Sagamu for an autopsy,  and items recovered at the scene were black rubber slippers and a black head cap.”