The entire Nnamdi Azikiwi University community has been thrown into mourning following the death of a 200 level student of the school who committed suicide by hanging.
News Echo learnt that the deceased, identified as David Ogbonna a native of Isuikwuato Local Government area of Abia state was said to be studying Industrial Physics.
The body was reportedly found inside one of the hostel blocks dangling with rope around his neck.
According to reports gathered, the deceased decided to kill himself barely an hour his roommates went out for lectures though rumours making round the schools revealed that he decided to take his life due to inability to pay a new regime of school fees introduced recently by University Authority. “When the door was broken, he was seen dangling with rope around his neck.” said one of the neighbouring student.
Another source which described the deceased as a quiet and calm student, said he never showed any sign of depression before the incident.
Reacting, Chief Security Officer of the Institution, Mr. Ken Chukwura said the deceased’s roommates had been invited for further questioning while investigation had commenced. He however called on the students to go about their activities without fear as the situation was under control.
Confirming the incident, Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga described the incident as unfortunate, adding that investigations were ongoing.
A combined team of school security, the Nigerian Police and top principal officers of the institution were on ground before the corpse was evacuated to the mortuary.
However, the parents of the late David Ogbonna, who allegedly committed suicide in one of the hostels at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka have denied school fees hike as the cause of their son’s death.
The parents, Pastor and Mrs. Esther Ogbonna were livid with media reports attributing school fees hike by the University as the cause of their son’s death, as according to them, all his needs were provided for without worry by them and his siblings who as well contributed in turns for his upkeep.
The mother of the deceased, Esther Ogbonna who spoke on behalf of the family as the father watches during a meeting with management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka insisted that the media reports were misleading and diversionary, even as she commended the management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka for the steps taken so far to unravel the mystery behind the death of their son.
She reiterated the need for all the security agencies involved to trace and unravel the mystery behind her son’s death allegedly via suicide on his room, as the school fees hike dummy wasn’t an issue at all.
She said her late son couldn’t have died of financial incapabilities as aside their support to him and that of his siblings, he was hardworking and did so many minor jobs like tailoring and laundry to support himself.
She informed the school management that his son complained of his poor grade in one of his courses in first year during her last discussion with her son a day before his demise which she encouraged him to work hard on the course to remedy the deficiency in next exams. She added that his son’s tone wasn’t lamentations to warrant taking his life the next moment.
In press statement signed by the Ag. Head, Information and Public Relations/Chief Protocol Officer of the university, Chika Gladys Ene the university called for calm by all staff and students as it’s doing everything possible in the right direction concerning the incident.
