23-Year-Old Albino Commits Suicide In Lagos Over Discrimination

A 23-year-old man, Ugochukwu Ekwe, yesterday committed suicide at Festac Town, Lagos, over the colour of his skin, being an albino.

His dangling body was discovered in an apartment on 311 Road, Festac Town, Lagos, where he lived with his parents and siblings.

It was gathered that the deceased refused to eat since Saturday in protest of what he said was people’s rejection and stigmatisation because of his skin condition.

He was also said to have refused to go to church with other members of his family yesterday.
When the family returned from church, Ugo, as he was fondly called, was dangling from the end of a rope tied to the ceiling fan, and one of his siblings raised alarm.

We gathered that the deceased had attempted to take his life before now.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “I was returning from church when I saw people gathered in front of the block of flats.

When I enquired, I was told that Ugochukwu had committed suicide. He finished his secondary school education since 2009.

“I also learned he had threatened to take his life before now, saying he was frustrated. Later, we saw some policemen from Festac Division, who removed the body.”

His mother and other members of his family cried uncontrollably as sympathisers thronged their abode.

Spokesperson of Lagos State Police Command, Patricia Amadin, said she was yet to get details from Area ‘E’ Commander, Mr. Frank Mba.
She, however, promised to reach us later, but had not done so at press time.

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