Eight-year-old girl allegedly commits suicide in Enugu

An eight-year-old girl was found dead on Monday in the bathroom of her family compound at Red House Bus Stop, Ofolonu Road, Nsukka, Enugu State, in a circumstance suspected to be suicide.

An eye witness who pleaded anonymity told the News Agency of Nigeria that the lifeless body of the girl was found about 3.20 p.m. hanging from a wood in the bathroom.

“I was surprised because I saw the girl playing with other children when I was going out to buy something from the market.

“I wonder what will make an eight-year-old to commit suicide.

“Another thing that surprised me is that the two legs of the child were on the ground, which is not normal when one commits suicide; the legs should be dangling,’’ she said.

The witness urged the police and other relevant security agencies to investigate the death of the child, adding that the rope on the child’s neck was “not strong enough to kill her, if really she committed suicide.”

“I know the police investigation will unravel the real circumstance behind the suspected suicide,’’ she said.

The victim’s guardian, Mr David Ajibo, told NAN that the child lived with him, adding that she was the daughter of his brother in-law.

“This girl has been staying with us since her father died. I am shocked as I do not know what to say; only God knows what happened.

“She was hale and hearty when I left the house in the morning, and I wondered what would make a girl of eight to commit suicide,’’ he said.

Contacted, Mr Ebere Amarizu, Enugu State Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), confirmed that the girl allegedly hung herself in the bathroom, adding that the police had commenced investigation into the incident.

“The corpse of the deceased has been deposited at the Bishop Shanahan Hospital mortuary in Nsukka,’’ he said.