A DISTURBING PATTERN of suicides within the Nigeria Police Force has once again come to light following the tragic death of Inspector Ajele Oloyede, who reportedly took his own life at a ceramics company in Igbesa, Ogun State.
The Explainer gathered that Oloyede was found resting his head on a table by his colleague, Tolorunloju Stephen, who had just returned from Ikeja. Despite assuring Stephen of his well-being, Oloyede later shot himself while Stephen was in the restroom.
Efforts to save him at Ota General Hospital proved futile, and the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Eleweran for further investigation.
This incident is not isolated. A study titled “An Evaluation of Suicidality and Its Predictors in Police Officers in Nigeria” found a 14% prevalence of suicidality among officers, with predictors including anxiety, substance use, and social isolation. The full study is accessible here.
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A 2023 report by Nigeria Watch also documented that Borno State recorded the highest number of fatalities (2,123), while Ekiti and Jigawa recorded the lowest numbers (36 and 51, respectively). This report reflects the high-stress environments faced by officers in conflict zones. Access the report here.
In a related case, 79 Nigerians committed suicide in 2022, including several police officers. The breakdown showed 70 males and 9 females.
A 2025 article from ADF Magazine reveals that Nigerian security forces battling insurgency face post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health issues long after their service. Read the full report here.
