University student commits suicide over academic failure in Bayelsa

A 200-level student of History and Diplomacy in the Federal University Otuoke (FUO), Arikekpar Lucky, has allegedly committed suicide to escape being tagged as a failure in academics by members of his family.

Tribune Onlinelearnt that the deceased, a one-time aspirant of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Student Representative, Central Zone, took his life at the wee hours of Monday.

It was further gathered that the 27-years-old student who hails from Otuakeme, Ogbia Local Government Area, hung himself with a rope tied to a ceiling fan after locking the door and windows, behind him.

Sources in the university community who prefered anonymity said that this is not the first time the deceased had attempted to take his life, saying he had made such attempts twice last year.

It was gathered that the student of History and Diplomacy at the Faculty of Humanity and Social Sciences, decided to kill himself following his family tagging him as a failure in life.

Our source said: “His family is always complaining that he spends too much effort, time and money on Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) politics rather than facing his studies.”

Arikekpar, it was learnt, left a suicide note expressing frustrations with the pressure from his relative, saying they left him with no option than to kill himself for peace to reign.

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A family member, who pleaded anonymity, said that the family would have taken the matter seriously but with the suicide note he left behind, they had to accept the situation and move on.

He said: “The young man has been buried according to the tradition of the Ogbia people when such tragic incidents occur.”

When contacted, the spokesperson of the Bayelsa State Police Command, Asinim Butswat, confirmed the incident, but said no official report has been made at the command headquarters yet.

He promised to get across to the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Kolo Police Station, in the area.

The Public Relations Officer, FUO, Mercy Ekort, who also confirmed the incident, said the body of the student has been retrieved by the family.

In his part, the student union leader, Mr Kojo Debekeme, who also confirmed the incident explained that the student died out of depression, as he could not cope with some family issue again.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE