For allegedly being discriminated against, a 23-year-old albino, Ugochukwu Ekwe on Sunday committed suicide in the Festac area of Lagos State. The incident occurred at 311 Road, B Close, after the deceased’s parents went to church.
It was alleged that the deceased had attempted suicide last month after complaining of the discrimination he suffered from people as a result of his pigmentation. He was said to have been rescued by a friend who arrived early enough, but he succeeded on Sunday after refusing to follow his parents to church, it was learnt.
A source in the neighbourhood said that his parents discovered his body hanging on the ceiling fan when they returned from church. He said: “On arrival from church, his parents were shocked to discover the body of their son hanging from the ceiling fan in one of the apartments. One of his siblings was said to have raised alarm which attracted curious neighbours. I was returning from church when I saw people gathered in front of the block of flats. When I enquired, I was told that Ugochukwu had committed suicide. He finished his secondary school education since 2009. I also learnT he had threatened to take his life, saying he was frustrated. Later, we saw some policemen from Festac division who removed the body.”
However, spokesperson for the police command, DSP Patricia Amadin said she was yet to get details from the Area ‘E’ Commander, Frank Mba.
By Pita Ochai
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