Police investigate death of 9-yr-old girl, suicide suspected

A nine-year-old girl, Maria Abah, on Thursday, allegedly committed suicide at Ankpa Quarters area of Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Catherine Anene, told the Nigerian Tribune that the little girl was found to have committed suicide inside her guardian’s house.

According to Anene: “On November 27, at about 11:30 a.m, a report was received that one Maria Abah (nine) was found hanged in the bathroom.

“Her corpse has been deposited at St. Theresa Hospital morgue.

“The case is, however, still under investigation and further development will be communicated in due course.”

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Nigerian Tribune visited the area and discovered that the premises where the incident occurred also house a church being overseen by a prophetess, who is a guardian to the little girl.

According to a neighbour who did not want his name in print, the little girl lived with the prophetess alongside her biological children.

The source said the body of the little girl was found on the floor in the bathroom with a cloth around her neck.

It was further gathered that Maria might have killed herself following constant reprimand for bedwetting.

Some of the children of the prophetess found in the house declined to speak about the development, saying their mother had gone to the police headquarters to sign some documents before travelling to the village for burial.