One 23-year-old Jumoke Kehinde has committed suicide in her apartment at Kajola, Akure, Ondo State, after being suspended from work for resuming late last Thursday, December 31, 2020. The deceased, who worked at a popular shopping mall in Akure, was handed a suspension letter at about 11 am. Upon getting home, she was said to have started crying despite her mom’s numerous attempts to pacify her. However, around 4 pm, the mom could not get through again; so, she sent someone to check on her and she was found on the floor of her room shaking while her body was oozing with insecticide odor.Jumoke was rushed to the hospital and was later pronounced dead by medical doctors. Her remains have been deposited at the morgue.
A manager in the organization, who gave his name simply as Taiwo, confirmed the incident and said the deceased along with some other staff members was suspended for reporting late to work last Thursday but expressed surprise that Jumoke could take her own life.
He said, “On that day, she was seen arranging her table getting ready for the day’s sales as she appeared happy, but she later left the mall around 11 am after receiving the suspension letter.
“Around 4 pm, a distress call was received in the office that she was not feeling fine. One of the management staff went to check on her. Jumoke was found on the floor of her room shivering, while her mouth smelled of the insecticide. No empty can of the substance was found anywhere as she was rushed to the hospital. After some time at the hospital, she was pronounced dead.”
A colleague of the deceased, who pleaded anonymity, said after Jumoke was given the suspension letter, she went back home but never showed any sign that she would commit suicide.
He said, “Her mother called her but she couldn’t say anything and was just crying on the phone. The mother kept calling her line but later could not get through again; so, she sent someone to check on her. The person found her on the floor writhing in pain. We had to quickly call the office and rushed her to the hospital.
“We all know that when you come late here, you will be suspended for a few days without payment. But I don’t see any reason why such an issue should make her commit suicide.”
