According to reports, Bryant Michael Ogah, a 34-year-old graduate who recently participated successfully in the National Youth Service Corps’ Passing-out Parade in Kaduna State’s Chikun Local Government Area, killed himself in a nearby hotel after ingesting a dangerous drug thought to be sniper.
Bryant, who just finished his NYSC program, had fought the illness for about 12 years and was suspected of having mental health issues prior to his passing.
In an interview with media, the deceased’s mother, who only went by Mrs. Ogah, bemoaned the fact that her son had committed suicide in spite of multiple attempts by the family to provide him with consolation in the face of his health issues.
She clarified that Bryant, the family’s eldest son and child, had always wanted to help with the maintenance and development of the family, but his erratic mental health conditions made it extremely difficult for him to fulfill his goals.
Additionally, Mrs. Ogah said that, “his (Bryant’s) sudden decision to commit suicide was because he was tired of his health condition, and also because he could not support the members of his family due to his health condition.”
She added, “It was the mental health issue that affected him. He took poison and killed himself. He was tired of the situation. He could not help himself. He could not help anybody. So he felt there was no need to continue living.
“But as a family, we kept encouraging him to be strong. We told him that despite his health issues, he should stay with us because we are not complaining about his challenges. We also told him that even though he does not take care of us, seeing him alive gives us joy.”
“On December 23, 2024, her late son approached the family that he would be going to visit his friend who is resident in another community in the LGA,” his mother stated, providing additional details of Bryant’s suicide.
“We allowed him to go, not knowing that it was an excuse to enable him to execute his negative plans which ended his life,” she continued.
“Due to the shame and embarrassment that his health condition caused him, it became a pain to him. He wanted to turn the family’s story around for good. But he later took his life as a result of the challenges that he was facing.
“On December 23rd, he woke up, took his bath, ate his breakfast, and after some time, he said he was going out to see his friend to rest, that he just needed a change of environment.
“Instead of going to his friend’s place, he went to a hotel around a place called the Television Area in Kaduna South. He paid for a room and lodged into the hotel.
“After 24 hours that he was supposed to vacate the room, the hotel workers did not see him come out, so they went to knock on the door, but he was not responding.
“They forcefully opened the door and met him on the floor, even though he was still breathing.
“They immediately rushed him to the hospital where he died within a short time of when he was admitted into the hospital,” she added.
The Public Relations Officer of the Kaduna State Police Command, DSP Mansir Hassan confirmed the sad incident, saying, “the command is investigating the matter.”