BY REBECCA AJANI
A 23-year-old employee of Shoprite has reportedly committed suicide in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
The late Shoprite staff, identified as Jumoke Kehinde, reportedly ingested Sniper insecticide, following her suspension over lateness to work.
She was said to have been suspended for coming late to work on December 31 but was found by colleagues in pains at her residence in the Kajola area of Akure after a distress call.
The body of the deceased, according to sources, has been deposited at the morgue.
Speaking with journalists, one of her colleagues at Shoprite said, “It is normal that anyone who comes late should wait outside before they are allowed in and suspended. She was seen arranging her table getting ready for the day’s sales and she looked happy. But later, she left the mall at about 11 am after receiving the suspension letter.
“At about 4 pm, a distress call was received at the office that she was not feeling fine, and one of the management staff went to check on her. Kehinde was found on the floor of her room shaking while her body was oozing with Sniper odour.
“No empty can was found in the room. But she was rushed to the hospital, and after some time at the hospital, she was declared dead. One of her relatives said she did not show any sign of depression.
“She was given suspension for coming late that day. She was told to go home. After then she went back home. We all know that when you come late you will be given suspension for a few days without payment.
“I don’t see any reason such an issue would make her to commit suicide.”
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Tee-Leo Ikoro, said the matter had not been reported at the police station.
Efforts to get an official reaction of Shoprite proved abortive as of the time of filing this report.
