A 21-year old man, Enyim Akpaga, has committed suicide in Amukabia village, Achalla, in the Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The man, who it was gathered hailed from Ebonyi State, a source told our correspondent was suspected to have taken his life due to hard times caused by the ban on the use of motorcycles for transport business.
The source who spoke on condition of anonymity said Enyim was a commercial motorcyclist in the state before the trade was banned by the Anambra State Government in July this year.
He said,”Since that time, Enyim has not seen anything meaningful to do and he was complaining to some of us that he had become frustrated.
“Though it had been about two weeks I saw him last, I’m sure his predicament had something to do with the okada ban in the state” the source stated.
Our correspondent learnt that Enyim was the second suicide case involving an okada operator in the state since the ban.
The Chairman of Motorcycle Transport Union of Nigeria in Awka and environs, Kingsley Nworah, had at the heat of the ban said over 10,000 youths would lose their jobs in the area over the proscription.
The State government insisted that the ban must be, stating that the operators on the guise of okada riders would rob unsuspecting members of the public.
Confirming our report, the Police Public Relations Officer in the State, Haruna Mohammed said the incident happened on Friday.
He said, “One Sunday Okpaga of Ebonyi State but resides at Oye in Achalla, Awka North LGA reported at Achalla division that his cousin, one Enyim Akpaga allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself.
“Scene was visited by police detectives attached to Achalla Division and corpse was immediately taken for burial without autopsy to Ebonyi State by relatives who claimed and insisted that was part of their tradition.”
Mohammed said the motive behind the act was yet to be ascertained, adding that investigation was ongoing to ascertain circumstances surrounding the incident.