14-year-old schoolgirl dies by suicide in Benue

A heartbreaking tragedy has struck Egba, a community in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, as a 14-year-old schoolgirl, identified as Nicknes, has died by suicide.

Reports indicate that the young girl took her own life after allegedly facing pressure from her mother to disclose the identity of the person responsible for her pregnancy.

According to a neighbor, Mama Enyi, the teenager had returned home from Otukpo on Thursday, visibly showing signs of pregnancy.

She explained, “Her mother, who noticed some signs of pregnancy, inquired from her if she was pregnant or not. After much pressure and threats to take her to a clinic, the girl ran away.”

According to the neighbor, the girl was later discovered in her room after allegedly ingesting a substance suspected to be bottled Gamalin. She was quickly taken to a local health facility known as ‘Ghana Clinic.’

Confirming the incident, the Medical Director of the clinic, Dr. Oyaje Sule, said, “It is true, they brought a 14-year-old girl to my clinic this morning, and she was suspected to have taken Gamalin after her mother pressured her to disclose who was responsible for her pregnancy.

“But when the situation was getting out of hand, I referred her to a hospital in Obagaji, the headquarters of Agatu Local Government. Unfortunately, she died on the way.

“As I’m talking to you, the girl has been buried. Unfortunately, she lost her father a few years ago.”

Attempts to reach the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, for confirmation were unsuccessful, as calls to her phone went unanswered.