Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one’s own death.

Nigeria has one of the highest suicide rates in Africa.

Dr. Titilayo Tade of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital also states that, “The suicide rate in Nigeria in 2019 is 6.9/100,000, which is higher than 6.5 rate in 2012; but under-reported or miscoded. Nigeria has the highest rate of suicide and depression in Africa, the current rate of suicide in Nigeria is 9.50% out of 100, 000 people.”

Suicide in Nigeria is still regarded as a taboo but the alarming rate is becoming worrisome.

Major causes of suicide in Nigeria is depression which has increased in recent years owing to the harsh economic realities and loss of means of survival.

Suicides by investing sniper became the in thing as many young men and women who felt they have lost all reason to live started buying the chemical to finish off themselves.

Most victims of this form of suicide are Nigerians who have experienced failed marriages, relationships or are indebted financially or have failed in one business or the other.

Another means of suicide that some Nigerians have adopted to end their lives is jumping into rivers from bridges.

This is done in broad daylight or under the cover of darkness.

The victims of this form of suicide are not limited to poor Nigerians but even professionals.

Depression and loss of means of livelihood have been major factors to Nigerians ending their lives this way.

Hanging from ceilings, fans, jumping from high rise buildings and ingesting other poisonous substances are means by which suicides have been committed in Nigeria.

In Osun, an unidentified lady committed suicide on October 20, 2022, by jumping into the Osun River from Gbodofon Bridge on the Gbongan-Osogbo road.

It was later learnt that the young lady had lost her job and suffered from severe depression which later led her to take her own life.

Also, on Monday, a man identified as Oladeji Saheed was rescued after he thrice attempted to commit suicide by jumping into the Osun River.

On interrogation, Oladeji stated that his reason for attempting suicide was not financial and that he needed no financial assistance from anybody.

He also revealed that he was a married man but stayed alone in Osogbo.

A day earlier, another man had committed suicide in Ede town when he jumped into the Osun River in the town.

It was identified that many factors lead suicide victims to hard the decision.

These factors, according to mental health experts, include societal pressure, poverty, marital conflicts, financial constraints, depression.

Most suicides according to research occur in sub-urban settlements.

Though suicide is a crime under Section 327 of the Criminal Code Act, it is punishable by just a year imprisonment under the same law.

Similarly, Section 326 of the same Criminal Act, states that, “A person will be charged with a felony or liable to life imprisonment if he or she aids, counsels, procures another to kill himself.”

Even though, it has been criminalised in Nigeria, you find many disgruntled Nigerians committing suicide and those rescued and rehabilitated have not been brought to book which makes the law prohibiting the act rather redundant.

A physician, Dr. Olakunle Omoteemi, while counselling against such acts, maintained that counselling was an option of treatment that has been effective over the years.

Omoteemi also noted that ominious signs when observed should not be taken lightly.

Such ominious signs, he added, include withdrawal, unfriendly attitude, display of anger, anxiety and others.