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.
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