Police Suicide or any suicide is a criminal offence in Nigeria, and it is one of those expected to be corrected by the executives of the law, such as the police.
No other part of the force has been worn a cloak of duty to shield the law from being broken as the police who have been so imbued.
But, quite surprisingly, it is this same set of personnel that, more often than not, is known with a sort of law breach which we now call ‘police suicide’.
Statistics proves that high-ranking members of this executive institution have committed more suicide in the space of very few number of years!!!
Several records starting from 2021, 2023, and now, 2024, prove the incessant and unfortunate occurrence. Thus, police suicide is gradually becoming an endemic in our society!
That’s appalling.
More appalling is the most recent case, making us ask the question why? Why would a senior police officer who is well-paid and well-positioned kill himself – by hanging, shooting, or any means possible?
A Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Force Criminal and Investigation Department, Alagbon, Lagos State, who went by the name, Gbolahan Oyedemi, committed suicide in his room on Monday.
The incident was reported to have taken place in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, according to PUNCH. As popular as he was – he has worked with late former governor of Oyo State, Alao Akala, in 2006 and he was even a deputy commissioner of police in Lagos, no one would have expected such man of status to take his own life.
While making investigation into how it happened, PUNCH also reported that a source close to the family of the deceased explained on the phone that Oyedemi, ‘who normally visited his hometown during the Easter celebrations, told his aides at the weekend to go to their various towns to celebrate with their family members.’
Speaking further, the source stated, “Yes, he committed suicide. His body was found hanging in his house yesterday (Monday). He stays alone, and he normally comes home for Easter celebrations.
“This time, he told his aides to go and celebrate with their family members in their various homes. Only God knows what could have prompted him to commit suicide.”
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The police also responded to the incident when contacted by PUNCH in an attempt to root out the cause of the suicide.
The Police Public Relations Officer of FCID, Alagbon, DSP Eguaoje Funmilayo said, “No one can tell specifically what the cause of his death is until an investigation is carried out. There is no official statement from the Inspector General of Police yet.
“So, I won’t be able to tell you anything about it for now. No official statement is approved by the IG.”
Reasons for Police Suicide
According to research, police suicide is a phenomenon that’s never taken its pause on the society since it has increasingly come to notice. When attempts were made to nip it, it was discovered that a number of reasons are responsible for it.
Though they might not be stinging enough, yet the reasons call for urgent attention from families of the police, concerned authorities, and the general public.
Cited by research organization, some of these reasons might be “alcoholism, physical illness, impending retirement, regular availability of firearms, continuous exposure to death and injury, social strain that results from shift work, inconsistencies within the criminal justice system, and the perception among police officers that they work under a negative public image.”
