Borno Gov’s Steward Commits Suicide

Suicide, which is fast becoming a common currency in Nigeria, on Tuesday visited the Borno State Government House as the official steward of the state Governor, Kashim Shettima, hung himself.

It was a pitiable situation as the lifeless body of the steward, John Achagwa, dangled on a Neem tree at the back of the Presidential Lodge in the Government House in Maiduguri.

The crowd which gathered to watch Achagwa lifeless was unprecedented as many had come to get a parting gift from Shettima who would vacate office tomorrow after eight years in office.

The cause of the suicide remains a mystery as people could not put a finger to want might have made Achagwa to take his life.

Some of his colleagues who spoke on the condition of anonymity told journalists that the deceased had maintained unusual quietness since he resumed work last Monday.

One of them said: “He didn't utter a word since morning. He just kept to himself. We were together till about 2p.m. until he suddenly disappeared.”

Men of the state Fire Service and security personnel were immediately mobilised to the scene of the incident to bring down the victim from the tree. It was the first time such incident would occur in the State House

Speaking later to journalists on the incident, the state Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Aliyu, said investigation has commenced on what could be responsible for the death.

He said an autopsy could be done on him as part of investigation on the cause of death.

Aliyu said his family and friends would be asked questions to get to the root of the incident.

He however revealed that preliminary investigation showed that the man was financially comfortable.

Achagwa was said to have retired from the state civil service about eight years ago before he was retained by the state governor.