The Borno State Police Command said it has begun an investigation into the allegations that a young woman killed herself after her father allegedly insisted on a forced marriage in the Gubio Local Government Area of the state.
A northern-based news medium, Lake Chad Times, had reported on Monday that the victim took her own life after she was forced to marry one of her father’s friends.
According to the news medium, the incident occurred on Sunday following persistent resistance from the lady to her father’s suggestion.
The report read in part, “A young woman in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State has reportedly taken her own life after being forced by her father to marry one of his friends.
“It occurred on Sunday evening around 6:20 p.m., when the woman, said to be under intense emotional distress, ended her life after repeated pressure from her family to proceed with the arranged marriage.
“She had earlier told her family that she was unwilling to marry the man chosen by her father.”
Similarly, a counterinsurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, shared details of the incident on his X page on Monday.
According to Makama’s post, the woman allegedly took her life after her father insisted she marry one of his friends despite her refusal.
He quoted a local child protection volunteer, Bukar Fantami, as describing the incident as a “painful reality” faced by some young women in rural communities.
He said, “The emotional pain and pressure she went through because of the forced marriage pushed her into taking her own life. It is truly a sad situation that calls for urgent action.”
Reacting to the report in a statement on Monday, the Borno State Police Public Relations Officer, Nahum Daso, disclosed that an investigation had commenced into the incident.
The PPRO noted that although the details of the incident could not yet be established, the command was committed to unravelling the circumstances behind the incident
Daso stated, “The attention of the command has been drawn to a viral publication circulating on various social media platforms, alleging that a young woman in Gubio Local Government Area took her own life after being forced by her father to marry one of his friends.
“The command wishes to inform the general public that the Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmajid, has ordered a discreet investigation into the authenticity and circumstances surrounding the said report
“The command is committed to establishing the true facts of the matter and therefore calls on individuals with credible and verifiable information to come forward and assist the Police in the ongoing investigation.”
He urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified information that could cause panic and emotional distress in the state.
“The public is further advised to exercise caution and restraint in sharing unverified information, especially on sensitive matters that may cause panic, emotional distress, or misrepresentation of facts.
“While the command remains dedicated to protecting the rights, safety, and dignity of all citizens, it also warns that spreading false or misleading information is punishable under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015,” the PPRO concluded.
This incident adds to a worrying rise in suicide-related cases reported in Borno State and across Nigeria.
It was gathered on October 9 that a 30-year-old woman, Adama Hannafi, from Auyakawa village in Dutse Local Government Area of Jigawa State, was found dead after allegedly taking her own life by hanging.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Shi’isu Adam, had explained that officers found her body hanging from a tree and no foul play was suspected.
In another case, a 42-year-old native doctor in the state was found hanging after being declared missing for days.
Experts have attributed the growing cases of suicide in Nigeria to economic hardship, family conflicts, and untreated mental health issues.
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