A female officer of the Nigerian Air Force, known only as George, tragically took her own life at her home in Ikeja, Lagos State.
According to reports, George, a Master Warrant Officer working at 651 Base Services Group Resident at Block T5 Flat 8 in Sam Ethnan Air Force Base Ikeja, was found dead on Sunday, June 11, 2023, and has been evacuated to allow for a full inquiry into the cause of her death.
A military signal obtained by SaharaReporters said, “Master Warrant Officer George a female Personnel of the Nigerian Air Force serving at 651 Base Services Group Resident at Block T5 Flat 8 in Sam Ethnan Air Force Base Ikeja reported to have committed suicide inside her room at about 1400hrs on 10 Jun 23.
Efforts are ongoing by 3 Air Provosts to evacuate her to 661NAFH, while further investigation will continue.
“This is for your awareness. My people, depression is real. Please do not allow 9ija Wahala lead you to early grave.”
Reports indicate that at least 79 people, comprising 70 males and 9 females, died by suicide in Nigeria in 2022.
According to the breakdown, Lagos had the most suicide instances with 12, followed by Oyo with 10, Kano with 4, Anambra with 3, Edo with 3, Delta with 3, Ogun with 3, and Rivers with 3. There were two cases each in Borno, Bayelsa, Abia, Benue, FCT, Imo, Enugu, Niger, Jos, Jigawa, Kaduna, and Kwara.
Other states with one instance each included Ondo, Osun, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Gombe, Cross-River, Kogi, Adamawa, Ekiti, Bauchi, and Yobe.
This number, however, does not account for unreported cases.
In another sad instance, Major U.J Undianyede, a former Battalion Commanding Officer who led the fight against Boko Haram in the North East, was reported to have taken his own life.
The tragic event occurred less than 72 hours before the verdict of a court-martial trial for alleged military infractions during the war.