Confusion engulfed the residents of FESTAC town on Sunday, August 16, 2015 after a 23-year-old albino identified as Ugochukwu Ekwe, killed himself over the colour of his skin.
The lifeless remains of the deceased was found dangling from a ceiling fan in their apartment located at 311 Road, Festac Town, Lagos State, where he lived with his parents and siblings.
It was gathered that Ekwe had refused to eat since Saturday, August 15, 2015 because he was unhappy with what he referred to as ‘rejection and stigmatisation by people because of his skin condition’.
On the fateful day, the deceased declined to go to church with other members of his family who never thought he was hatching plans to take his own life.
The family members were shocked when they returned from church to the sight of Ekwe’s lifeless remains and raised an alarm which attracted the attention f concerned neighbours to the scene.
According to Vanguard, late Ekwe who was also an admission seeker since 2009, had made several failed attempts to commit suicide out of frustration.
One of the residents who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “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 before now, saying he was frustrated. Later, we saw some policemen from Festac Division, who removed the body.”
Also speaking anonymously, another resident said the police had evacuated the corpse to an undisclosed mortuary.
She said, “Ugochukwu’s father’s whereabouts are unknown, but the boy has a younger brother and an elder sister.
“The corpse has been taken to the mortuary. Since he finished secondary school, he had not been able to secure admission. He took the UTME again this year.
“Everyone knows him as someone who did not talk too much. But no one knew exactly why he committed suicide. He was not working. He was usually at home. They were staying in a room and parlour. They are an average family.”
When contacted, the spokesperson of Lagos State Police Command, Patricia Amadin, said she was yet to get details from Area ‘E’ Commander, Mr. Frank Mba.
