Jessica
Beer, a 19-year-old female student of Dyege Memorial College, Akpehe, Makurdi,
Benue State, on Wednesday committed suicide after her boyfriend, identified
simply as Labi, impregnated another girl and subsequently dumped her.
A
close friend of the victim, who did not want her name mentioned, told our
correspondent that Beer killed herself because she loved Labi and could not
accept that she had been jilted.
The
friend further said her late friend believed that after impregnating another
girl, her future plans with Labi was in jeopardy.
The
source said when she went to Beer’s residence, she met the victim on the floor,
vomiting blood.
She
said, “My friend had brought a sharp knife the day before the incident to my
house. She said I should follow her to her boyfriend’s house, threatening to
deal with him. But I advised her not to take the law into her own hands.
“When
I went to see her the next day, I met Jessica (Beer) on the floor, vomiting
blood and I quickly raised the alarm.”
It was gathered that the
victim was rushed to a private hospital, Yiman Hospital, in the area, where
doctors certified her dead.
The
Chief Nurse at the hospital, Mrs. Atser Terkimbi, told our correspondent that
when the victim was brought to the hospital, she was foaming at the mouth as a
result of the substance she took, which later claimed her life.
When
our correspondent visited the victim’s school, many of her classmates were seen
crying, while some teachers in the school discussed the incident.
One
of the victim’s classmates said in tears that she was shocked that Beer would
“intentionally kill herself because of a man.”
Another
classmate said, “I was told that the boyfriend (Labi) is a cultist and an armed
robber, who had refused to further his education. Why should my friend commit
suicide over such a person? I can never do such a thing.”
The
proprietress of the school, Mrs. Mercy Dyege, said that she was surprised when
the news of the suicide was broken to her.
According
to Dyege, the news of Jessica suicide filtered into the school while the
students were on the assembly ground.
She
described the action of the student as barbaric and ungodly, saying she always
advised students to focus on their studies and devote their time to God
rather than engaging in carnal issues.
Dyege
said, ‘’My teachers always pray with the students and teach them the words of
God, especially the female students. I also told the girls that when they put
their minds on their studies and complete their education, men will look
for them. This kind of incident has never occurred in my school and I condemn
this behaviour in strong terms.”
One
of Beer’s teachers, Mr. Timothy Tyoyange, described her as an average student,
who was ready to learn from both teachers and her fellow students.
Tyoyange
said, “Jessica (Beer) was a beautiful young lady and in our last prize giving
and graduation day, she contested for Miss Dyege, organised by the college, and
won the crown. So, she killed herself at a time she was about to fulfill her
dream in life. May her soul rest in peace’’.
The
state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Moses Yamu, confirmed the incident.
“Investigation
has commenced. I advise other students to desist from such acts,” he added.
Source:The Punch
Tags
Society