23-yr-old albino commits suicide over condition

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.

Vanguard 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.

Vanguard 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 Vanguard later, but
had not done so at press time.

Source : Vanguard