Many have yet to come to terms with what could have led a teenage
undergraduate of Babcock Uni, Verishima Unokyur, to take his own life, write
Punch's Gbenga Adeniji
and Motunrayo Joel.
In what appeared as a clue to the mystery surrounding the suicide act by
a part-two student of Babcock University, 19-year-old Verishima Unokyur, his
mother, Patricia, on Friday said her son couldn’t have done such to himself
without external influence.
The mother, who was pensive and heart-broken, told some sympathisers who
came to console the family in their home in Ewu Tuntun, Mafoluku Oshodi area of
Lagos that her son never gave her any trouble while alive.
She also disclosed her notice of his extremely reserved and shy nature
which gave her concern.
She said sadly, ‘‘Why would my dear son commit suicide? He cannot do
that. I know him. He was manipulated and God will fight for us. I will forever
love my son. I know he was too reserved. I forced him to talk to me. I asked
him if he was facing any threats anywhere or he didn’t like the school he was
attending but he said no. Since he entered the university, his reserved nature
got worse. He was neat and obedient. He is a son I wish to have again and
again.’’
Verishima, who hailed from Benue State and was studying Social Work at
Babcock, committed suicide in their apartment after the New Year when his
mother, who works with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, was away on
night duty and his younger brother, Asor, was asleep.
It was gathered that the deceased’s mother is a widow who has not
remarried since the demise of her husband about 15 years ago but dedicates her
time to the care of her two boys.
A source close to the family who refused to be named said the woman
created time for her kids by taking them out most times and also frequently
visited Verishima in school.
“Their mother is a very wonderful person. She gave up everything for the
joy and comfort of her boys after the death of their father. She ensured that
the boys lacked nothing. One would think Verishima was the son of a king
because there was nothing he needed that he did not get. She also gave them
attention, always ready to talk with them to know what was worrying them at
anytime. She is a great woman and an amazing mother. Only God knows what went
wrong because this woman did her best for her late son,” he said.
When approached by one of our correspondents for an interview, the
distraught woman politely and vehemently refused to speak on the incident,
noting that she detested publicity until the unfortunate development drew
attention to her family.
Sources told Punch that prior to the suicide act, the teenager had a
wonderful New Year celebration with his family members. It was also learnt that
he ate to his satisfaction on that day without giving any inkling that he would
soon depart from the family.
Besides, it was gathered that the deceased was an usher in the
pentecostal church which the family attends.
Reacting to the incident, the spokesperson for Babcock University, Mr.
Joshua Suleiman, who described the late Verishima as a little reserved, said he
was an A grade student.
Suleiman stated, “Verishima was a good student; his academic performance
was excellent. He always obeyed instructions and was easy-going. We rated him
as a student who was law-abiding. Whether in class or in his hostel, you would
never catch him behaving rudely to anyone. He had a good character and was
disciplined. At this very moment, the school grieves over his death and we
sympathise with his mother. It is saddening, nobody expected this. We are
deeply saddened over his departure.”
The Spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Dolapo Badmos, told
Punch that the case was under investigation. She added that the command was
working to unravel the matter.
Some of Verishima’s friends have continued to mourn his death on social
media. One of them, Christiana Omolola, linked the development to ‘spiritual
attack,’ while asking God to give his family the fortitude to bear the loss.
NAN
0 Comments