A man in his mid-30s, popularly identified as Baale or Radical, has reportedly committed suicide after he was issued a quit notice from his apartment for not being able to pay his annual rent of N35, 000 increased to N60, 000.
It was gathered that Baale, who lived in a room on Moshalashi Road, Egan, in the Igando area of Lagos State, died on Sunday night after drinking a poisonous substance suspected to be an insecticide.
The deceased left four children and his wife behind.
A source who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter said the deceased had reportedly told his wife that she would soon cry because of his inability to pay for their house rent.
“He had had an altercation with his wife after his landlord issued a quit notice to him for not meeting up with the increased rent of N60, 000 for their one-room apartment.
“The rent was initially N35, 000, and he struggled to pay it. This made him tell his wife that he may lose him soon as pressure is mounting up for him already.
“He came home from Iba yesterday where he went to chill with his friends only for him to call a young man (name withheld) he would commit suicide with the bottle of insecticide he was holding. The young man immediately ran to his wife after luring him to stop, and they all called for help.
“Before they could return to where he was, he had already taken the substance and was given antidotes to make sure that he was stable and taken to hospital for proper treatment.
“They got a bus and when they got to the hospital at 11 pm, he was confirmed dead,” he added.
Travellers beat Rivers policewoman to death
Also, operatives of the Rivers State Police Command said its men have arrested 16 suspects in connection with the murder of a female Inspector in front of Taabaa Police Station in Khana local government area of the state.
The incident occurred on April 25 while the policewoman identified as Christiana Erekere was on duty at the Bori Police Division,
The spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, who disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday and sent to newsmen, said trouble started when the men in a private vehicle were stopped by policemen for a routine search.
Iringe-Koko, said all of a sudden an argument ensued and the occupants became angry and blocked the road, adding that even after completing the checks and asked to leave, they refused, alleging that the female Inspector had recorded their behaviour with her phone and attacked her with stones when their attempt to seize the phone failed.
The statement reads, “The Rivers State Police Command announces the arrest of sixteen persons in connection with the tragic death of Inspector Christiana Erekere, who was murdered in the line of duty on April 25, 2024, at approximately 4 pm.
“According to preliminary investigations, the incident occurred when a group of individuals traveling in a Lexus salon car was stopped for routine checks at the checkpoint in front of Taabaa Police Station.
“However, the occupants became agitated and proceeded to barricade the road, obstructing the movement of other vehicles.
The statement furthered added that after completing the necessary checks, the police officers requested that the individuals leave the scene. Unfortunately, they refused, alleging that Inspector Erekere had recorded a video of their disruptive behaviour using her mobile phone.
Hence, in their attempt to seize Inspector Erekere’s phone forcefully, they launched a violent attack against her, striking her with stones.
“The severity of the assault caused Inspector Erekere to lose consciousness, and she was immediately transported to Nnadum Hospital in Bori. Regrettably, she succumbed to the injuries sustained during the attack.
“The Rivers State Police Command has initiated a thorough investigation into this abhorrent incident, and all individuals involved will be apprehended and brought to justice.
“The command extended its condolences to the family of the deceased and her colleagues during this difficult time. Consequently, Inspector Erekere’s remains have been transferred to the mortuary pending an autopsy.
“The Rivers State Police Command deeply regrets this unfortunate incident and reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are swiftly apprehended and held accountable for their actions,” the statement said.
