It was a moment of grief as a middle-aged woman identified as Ifeoma Otubo, Sunday, reportedly took her own life by hanging herself on a mango tree behind her house at Okposi Umuoghara, in Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
It was alleged that the 45 years old mother of five, had some time in 2014 attempted to commit suicide because of hardship but was rescued by people who spotted her.
Investigation revealed that before she took her life at the early hours of Sunday, she had complained of hardship and could not take care of her five children.
According to a source from the community, the deceased and family were displaced from the Ezza/Eziulo protracted communal war in Ishielu Local Government Area of the state.
“She was among the people displaced by Ezza/Eziulo war. She returned to her father’s house having been displaced by the communal war together with the husband and children but since that time, life has not been easy on them.
“About five years ago, she attempted suicide but was stopped by people who saw her. It was said that the deceased during her first suicide attempt gave hardship as reason because before the war, they were living well because she had a personal shop she was managing but when they relocated to the fathers’ house at Umuoghara, they became peasant farmers”, the source stated.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ebonyi State Command, DSP Loveth Odah, confirmed the incident, while describing it.
She urged the displaced persons not to lose hope, noting that the government was working hard to resettle them and better their living.
She pointed out that the Ezza/Eziulo crisis has defiled many peace processes but the state government is working to resettle the IDPs.
“On 20th December, 2020 by 4PM, Christopher Nwuzor from Okposi Umuoghara reported at Ezza North division that his sister, one Ifeoma Otubo, aged 45 years, committed suicide by hanging herself on a bush mango tree behind their house.
“The DPO mobilized to the area, the body was brought down and no mark of violence was seen on her, the family did not suspect any foul play and demanded the release of the corpse for burial”, she stated.
