A student of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Ikorodu Campus, identified as Joseph Mayowa, has died from an apparent suicide, the police have said.
Lagos State police spokesman, Bala Elkana, said in a statement made on Friday that the 34-year-old drank a poisonous substance identified as Sniper following a misunderstanding with his girlfriend.
The said girlfriend reportedly raised an alarm after which the victim was taken to the hospital where he was confirmed dead.
Some media reports claim he had accused his girlfriend of treating him badly after she began the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme.
The police statement reads:
“On 31st May, 2019 at about 5.30am Shagamu road Police Station, Ikorodu received an information that one Joseph Mayowa ‘m’ 34years old, a part term student of Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu Campus, Department of Hospitality Management Technology, drank a poisonous chemical identified as sniper, following a misunderstanding between him and his girlfriend, Olokodana Bolaji ‘f’ 24years old who was also a graduate of the same Institution.
“He was rushed to hospital by his neighbours following an alarm raised by his girlfriend, but eventually died.
“In the statement of his girlfriend, she told Police investigators that herself and the deceased dated for nine years. That the deceased is fond of beating her. That while she was with the deceased in his room, they had a quarrel and he, as usual, resorted into physical violence. That she ran into the restroom and upon return she found him gasping for breath with an empty bottle of sniper beside him.
“Homicide detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department Yaba visited the scene at Eyita area, Ikorodu.
“Corpse of the said Joseph Mayowa was deposited at General hospital mortuary for autopsy while the girlfriend was invited for questioning.
“Investigation is ongoing to determine whether it was actually a suicide case or murder.”
