A
12-year-old girl, Miss Chisom Okechukwu, has committed suicide, hanging
herself at her family compound at Nnoche-Uduke Community in Okpoitumo
in the Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that
Okechukwu, a primary five pupil at Nnoche-Uduke Primary School, was said
to have left home on Saturday and was not seen until Sunday morning,
hanging on a tree at the back of her compound.
Her dangling body was discovered by her younger sister, Ndidi, who was going to the toilet dug out at the back of the compound.
An eye-wtness, who spoke on condition of
anonymity, disclosed that Ndidi raised an alarm which attracted their
parents and other members of the community who came and brought her
down.
“The whole scenario brought tension and confusion in the community as people were seen in clusters discussing the death.
“People, especially some members of
Okechukwu’s family are of the opinion that she did not commit suicide
and insisted on a thorough investigation to unravel the true cause of
her death,’’ said the witness.
He claimed that a neighbour to the
Okechukwu family had reported to the girl’s parents that she stole her
egg which made them to beat her.
“After the incident, Okechukwu went
inside their house, changed into her new cloth and left the house only
to be seen dangling lifeless on a tree on Sunday,’’ he said.
An elder in the community, Mr Friday
Itumo, told NAN that the incident had brought confusion to the community
as such a tragedy had never been experienced before in the community.
“Mr Okechukwu is not the girl’s
biological father as her mother came in with her when she re-married Mr
Okechukwu after her former husband’s death.
“Her former husband’s family members are
now insisting that Mr Okechukwu should provide their daughter alive and
this has compounded the problem,” he said.
Hundreds of sympathisers were seen
trooping in and out of the compound, including her school mates who were
visibly shocked by her sudden death.
The Ebonyi State Police Command Public
Relations Officer, ASP Chris Anyanwu, confirmed the incident, saying
that the matter was reported to the Police Division in Ikwo.
“We have commenced investigation into the girl’s death to ascertain why she should engage in such act.
“We can’t confirm that she committed
suicide because one can be killed and hanged by his or her killer, to
claim that the person committed suicide.
“We assure her family, members of the community and the whole state that we would get to the root of this matter,’’ he said.
The girl’s body has been deposited at the Onueke General Hospital Mortuary in the Ezza South Local Government Area for autopsy.
This is heart breaking.
ReplyDeleteU sure say na suicide? Peson fit kll dis poor child and hang her like its suicide, and we don't forensic investigation in this corrupt ridden countey called naija, how tragic!
ReplyDelete