Just In : 21-Year-Old Undergraduate Commits Suicide Over Failed Relationship
It all unfolded unexpectedly, catching everyone by surprise.
Even those closest to Miss Sarah Maikefi couldn’t fathom that she would take her own life in such a sudden and gruesome manner, especially at her young age.
The 100-level Microbiology student at Nasarawa State University tragically ended her life in response to a failed relationship.
For years, Sarah’s academic achievements had been a source of pride for her parents, who envisioned a promising future for her. However, Sarah kept her disturbing plans to herself until she carried them out after completing her second-semester examination on December 8.
With the tragic event occurring at an off-campus lodge near Family and Friends Hotel, opposite the university campus, Sarah bid farewell to the world without leaving room for rescue.
The youngest in a family of four children, Sarah appeared healthy and robust until her demise. She waited until after completing her second-semester exams to quietly retire to her apartment, sealing herself off from the world after celebrating the completion of her first year. There, she consumed a poisonous substance suspected to be an agrochemical from a keg.
Efforts by students and neighbors to mitigate the impact of the poison, such as administering palm oil, proved futile. Sarah’s cousin, Miss Patience Maikefi, also a student at the same school, revealed that the deceased had called her after completing her semester exams, expressing exhaustion and despair. The call abruptly ended, leading to several unsuccessful attempts to reach her. Later, a roommate informed Patience to meet them at the school clinic, where she learned that Sarah had died from ingesting a poisonous substance, suspected to be either sniper or agrochemical.
One of the students, who gave his name as Danjuma, told The Nation “we met here early this year when she came for her four-year degree programme and we shared a good relationship as students. She was gentle, calm and cool.
“We used to see her with a young man who was coming here regularly. They were usually in loved-up scenarios and appeared to have bonded.
“In fact, they showed every sign of two people who were truly in love. But a few weeks before the second semester examination, we were no longer seeing the guy around her and she was showing signs of someone who was worried.
“We tried to find out what was wrong with her but she kept everything to herself and managed to do the second semester examination.
“She was actually not looking happy or excited throughout the period of the examination.
“We became suspicious when she entered her room after her last paper and did not come out for a long time. We knocked on her door but there was no response.
“Initially, we felt she might have slept off as a result of fatigue from the hectic nights of the exam period. But when she still did not come out after a while, we forced her door open only to discover that she had consumed a chemical and her condition was so bad.”
“We quickly found the means to rush her to the hospital, but she was pronounced dead on arrival.”
Danjuma said the late Sarah actually showed some signs of depression, but she did not leave any suicide note to explaining the reason for her action.
He said: “She did not drop any written note. Neither did she talk to anybody on the reason for her action before she passed on.
“While we were taking her to the hospital, we asked her to tell us the reason for her action but she did not respond. It was obvious that the non-appearance of the guy around the girl took her happiness away.”
A confidential friend of the late Sarah, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that Sarah had called her earlier to share that she had finished her final semester exams and intended to take a short break before heading to Akwanga.
The friend mentioned that a few hours after their telephone conversation, Sarah failed to answer or return her calls. Later, she was informed that Sarah had taken her own life.
The friend further disclosed that Sarah had been grappling with depression, stemming from an alleged betrayal by her boyfriend. According to the friend, Sarah had contemplated suicide on multiple occasions.
“She told me that the guy she held close to heart cheated on her and abandoned her while she loved him with all her heart. She said she did not want to live anymore, and that killing herself would be the ultimate solution.
“I kept telling her never to harm herself because of someone else, and that I had also felt that way before but had to control my emotions.
“I told her that there is no situation that is more important than your life. Consider yourself wounded and allow a healing process to occur.
“I know it is very painful. What the guy did to her was wrong, but the only way to it is through it. You can’t escape pain, but you can make something beautiful from it.
“Surround yourself with people who genuinely care for you and lean on them. It is okay to be hurt sometimes, and pains only make us grow.
“Just remember that every heart break will lead you to the right person. That was my advice to the late Sarah.”
Recently, Sarah was laid to rest in Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The Nasarawa State Police Command has initiated an investigation into the reported suicide of the 100-level Microbiology student. The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ramhan Nansel, confirmed that personnel from the Angwan Lambu Police Division in Keffi have been assigned to determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged suicide.
