ASUU STRIKE LATEST: STUDENT ATTEMPTS SUICIDE OVER ASUU STRIKE

The ongoing strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU

took a different turn on Saturday at the Dutse-Alhaji area of Abuja

when a female student of the University of Abuja made to hang herself

in protest of the nearly four months old strike.

The female student identified as Jane Okoro had already hanged

herself, but fell off the ceiling while struggling, apparently because

the rope she used was not strong enough.

Jane had sent her two younger brothers on an errand, just a way of

sending them out of the house to be able to carry out the abominable

act, but one of the brothers returned after 15 minutes and saw her on

the floor with a rope tied round her neck while another rope dangled

from the ceiling fan. The 15 year old boy raised the alarm, thinking

that his sister was dead, attracting neighbours and other onlookers

into their compound. However, it was discovered by those who got there

first, that Jane was alive as it was only a suicide attempt.

The boy, who was identified as Andrew had told our correspondent

that the sister was behaving so strange throughout that morning. He

said, " She was to go to the market with my mum, but said she was not

feeling too well. While we were at home with her, she refused to talk.

She was always on her Blackberry. Shortly after she had her bath, she

sent us to First-Gate (market), but I left some money I wanted to use

to buy my personal stuff at home, so upon return, I saw her on the

floor of our parlour. I even thought she was dead, so I shouted."

Meanwhile, the mother who returned from the market immediately

after the news got to her had told our correspondent in tears that,

her daughter must have attempted to commit suicide because of the

ongoing ASUU strike. She said, I will ask her questions on why she

wanted to do this to us. She has been complaining to me about this

ASUU strike. She said, at her age, she should have been done with

school, and begin to take care of the children and I. Her father is

late. I know that only this week, she had complained to me up to 6

times on how frustrating this strike has been. I know other things may

have contributed, but ASUU strike may have contributed the most; but

for whatever reason, it was devilish for my daughter to have attempted

suicide." She said.

Asked what she was going to do about the situation, she said "

I will take her to my Pastor this evening. She needs prayers. We need

somebody to talk to her. God will do the miracle for me. I didn't do

anything to anybody. I must not suffer for nothing. She is already in

her third year in school. What would I have done if this had

happened?"

Attempt to speak with Jane failed as she could not respond to

questions from our correspondent. The only statement she muttered was

" It was a better option".

The mother had later asked our correspondent to leave her to rest. She

said " she will talk to you after we see our Pastor. She will give the

testimony herself."

However, a female friend of Jane who had pleaded not to be

mentioned showed our correspondent her recent conversation with Jane

on her Blackberry. She said " my last chat with her was on this very

ASUU strike. See what she posted, " I tire for these ASUU peopleoooo"

She showed our correspondent the chat.

Source: Dailypost