A 14-year-old secondary school student, Nicknes Ayo, has reportedly taken her own life in Egba, Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, after facing intense pressure from her mother to reveal the identity of the man responsible for her pregnancy.
The PUNCH reported that the tragic incident occurred on Saturday after Ayo, who was schooling in Otukpo, returned home on Thursday displaying signs of pregnancy.
A concerned neighbour, identified as Mama Enyi, narrated the events leading up to the tragedy.
“Her mother, who noticed some signs of pregnancy, inquired from her if she was pregnant or not. It was after much pressure and a threat to be taken to a clinic in the village that the girl ran away,” she told our correspondent over the phone.
Ayo was later discovered in her room after consuming a substance suspected to be Gammalin, a toxic pesticide.
She was rushed to a local medical facility, widely referred to as ‘Ghana Clinic,’ in a desperate attempt to save her life.
The medical director of the clinic, Dr. Oyaje Sule, confirmed the incident, saying, “It is true, they brought a 14-year-old girl to my clinic this morning and were suspected to have taken Gammalin when her mother pressured her to disclose who was responsible for her pregnancy.
“But when the situation was getting out of hand, I referred her to the hospital in Obagaji, headquarters of Agatu local government. Unfortunately, she died on the way.”
The girl, who was reportedly between 13 and 14 years old, had already been laid to rest by the time of this report. According to sources, she had lost her father a few years ago, leaving her mother as her sole guardian.
Efforts to obtain comments from the Agatu Local Government Chairman, Melvin James, were unsuccessful, as his phone remained switched off.
Similarly, multiple attempts to reach the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, yielded no response.
