Following the discovery of the lifeless body of 24-year-old Dada Adesonye at a location in Afami area of Imasayi in the Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, the police authorities have expressed concern about the rising cases of suicide within the state.
The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Omolola Odutola, stressed the need for families and communities to be vigilant in the face of increasing suicide tendencies among the youth.
Adesonye’s body was retrieved in the early hours of Friday, October, 18 when some police officers were dispatched to the scene after a worker at the Dangote Cement Transport in Ibese notified the police about its discovery on the Dangote-Afami Road.
“The body of the deceased, identified as Dada Adesonye of Abeokuta, was discovered around 8:10 am. The duty officer immediately dispatched a team to the scene after receiving the report,” Odutola said.
According to the police, no signs of foul play were spotted on the corpse, but a payment card, N2,000, a key holder, and an earbud were among the items recovered.
Odutola said the deceased remains have been released to the family for burial following their request.
A rising concern for authorities
Beyond this single incident, the Ogun State police have noted a worrying trend of increasing suicide cases, particularly among young people. Speaking on behalf of the police, SP Odutola shared critical advice aimed at families and communities, urging everyone to be alert to signs of emotional distress in their loved ones.
“Amid rising youth suicides, it is important for families to pay close attention to anyone showing suspicious or troubling behavior. There is no better time than now to check in on your friends and loved ones more frequently. Warning signs should not be ignored,” she implored.
The root causes behind the surge in suicides remain complex and multi-faceted, ranging from economic hardship to mental health struggles. The police stress the importance of offering mental health support and providing open, non-judgmental communication within families and communities to mitigate these heartbreaking losses.
Community vigilance required
In the heartbreaking wake of Adesonye’s death, law enforcement is doubling down on calls for increased community vigilance. With the continued rise in suicide rates across many parts of Ogun State, police advise families to actively seek help for their loved ones if they observe signs of depression, hopelessness, or unusual withdrawal from day-to-day activities.
