Shock as LASPOTECH student commits suicide •She’d been talking strangely lately – Victim’s mother

Shock as LASPOTECH student commits suicide •She’d been talking strangely lately – Victim’s mother

The death of a 22 - year- old student of the Lagos State Polytechnic, Isolo campus , Damilola Adegoke , in suspected suicide , has shocked her family and friends .
They were worried about what could have prompted the National Diploma 1 student of Business Administration to commit suicide , saying she did not show any sign of being suicidal .
“ Never mind what others say. Do better yourself , beat your own records every day , and aim for a better tomorrow … Happy new week peeps , ” Adegoke wrote on her Facebook wall on Monday .
Saturday PUNCH learnt that Adegoke , who lived with her mother in the Masasa area of Lagos , took an insecticide – Sniper – while her mother went out to plait her hair the following day .
On returning home around 9 pm , it was said that the mother found her gasping on the bed and rushed her to a private hospital in the area , from where she was referred to another hospital . She died on the way .
Our correspondent learnt that no suicide note was found in the apartment and there was no suspicious information on her mobile phone or social media accounts.
However , the mother , who identified herself only as Iya Ibeji and spoke with Saturday PUNCH on the telephone , said she had been using a strange slangs lately when conversing with her . The woman stated that she didn ’ t want to go out that Tuesday , but Adegoke persuaded her .
She said , “ Only two of us lived together and we didn ’ t have any disagreement . She didn ’ t quarrel with anybody . That morning , we both ate bread and stew. She said she would use the remaining stew to prepare noodles later in the day . She lay on the bed , pressing her phone while I had a nap on the tiles .
“ When I told her I was going to her sister’ s shop at First Gate around 1 pm , she said , ‘ Eyo mi le jare ( let me be ) . ’ She started using that slang recently . Her sister and I had questioned her about it. We didn ’ t read any negative meaning to it. I didn ’ t want to go out that day , she persuaded me so she could carry out her plan . ”
The mother further explained that Adegoke was supp osed to go and tutor a boy in the neighbourhood that day , but she shunned her when asked why she didn ’ t go .
“ On getting back home around 9 pm , I met her sleeping and tried to wake her up . That was when I discovered she was in a coma. I smelled sniper in her mouth and raised the alarm . I gave her palm oil and water while people joined me to take her to a private hospital . She could not talk.
“ From that hospital , we rushed her to a primary health centre in our community. She was confirmed dead on arrival and we reported to the police . Nothing strange was found on her mobile phone, ” she added .
Iya Ibeji , who said her daughter was preparing to sit for second semester exams , noted that it was unusual of Adegoke to absent herself from work, adding that she spoke with her on the telephone around 7 pm that day .
She described her as a kind - hearted child , saying the daughter had promised to buy her a pair of earrings , on June 3 as her birthday gift .
Adegoke ’ s childhood friend and course mate, Faith Omoh , said they spoke happily on the telephone a few hours before the incident happened .
She said , “ We talked around 7 pm that day and she was cheerful . I was shocked when her mother told me she drank snipper . Damilola ( Adegoke ) was friendly and likeable . We checked her mobile phone and Whatsapp chats , we didn ’ t find any suspicious information there.
“ We both gained admission to study Business Administration at LASPOTECH last year and our second semester examination is about to start . ”
One of the deceased ’ s friends on Facebook , Damilola Ayanwale, wondered why she resorted to the act , saying she had left behind unforgettable memories .
Anyanwale wrote , “ No amount of problem is worth taking your own life . She was hard working and highly dedicated , but only her knows her personal pains and challenges … in fact , nothing justifies taking poison. Farewell Damilola Adegoke , we will remember you forever . ”
Another friend , Frank Chinedu Maximus, wrote , “ This girl could not have killed herself , proper investigation should be carried out. ”
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer , ASP Olarinde Famous- Cole , had yet to reply to a text message sent to him on the incident .