A 16-YEAR-OLD GIRL, Maryam Samuel, from Kalarin ward in Kaltungo Local Government Area of Gombe State, has died by suicide, raising concerns over youth mental health and social pressures in northern Nigeria.
The Explainer gathered from Gombe police spokesman, Buhari Abdullahi, that the teenager hanged herself on a tree at Kalarin mountain after leaving home to fetch firewood.
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“On Friday, at about 9 a.m., a case of suicide was reported at Kaltungo Divisional Headquarters by the village head of Kalarin. The deceased, later identified as Maryam Samuel, 16 years old from Kalarin ward, was seen hanged with rope on a tree at Kalarin mountain without any marks of violence found on her body,” Abdullahi said.
Her body was deposited at the General Hospital Kaltungo, while investigations are ongoing to uncover the root cause.
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A family source, who requested anonymity, alleged that Maryam was pregnant by her boyfriend, a discovery that led to parental confrontation. The source said the emotional distress and societal shame associated with teenage pregnancy in the conservative community may have driven the young girl to take her life.
Maryam’s case reflects a broader crisis. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15 to 29-year-olds globally. In Nigeria, the mental health crisis is compounded by social stigma, lack of mental health services, and economic hardship.
The Nigerian National Depression Report of 2023 revealed that over 7 million Nigerians suffer from depression, with northern states disproportionately affected due to cultural and economic pressures.
A similar case occurred in 2021 when a 17-year-old girl in Bauchi State took her life after being shamed for teenage pregnancy.
Experts argue that the lack of mental health support and social acceptance exacerbates emotional distress among young people in such situations.
Meanwhile, Gombe police assured the public that further investigations would reveal the full circumstances surrounding Maryam’s death.
