Tragedy has struck the Ini Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, as a young man identified as Utibe Eteffia reportedly took his own life after falling victim to Yahoo boys who wiped out his savings.
Eteffia, said to be in his early 30s and the operator of a Point of Sale (PoS) business, allegedly ingested a poisonous substance after cybercriminals-commonly known as Yahoo Boys-defrauded him of N2.5 million. The incident occurred shortly after he hinted at suicidal thoughts through cryptic social media posts.
In one of his final posts, Utibe reportedly shared an image of a lit candle accompanied by the caption, "Do you believe in reincarnation?" He also urged his followers to "be their brother's keeper" by showing love and helping those in need.
Concerned neighbours confirmed that the young man had become visibly withdrawn in the days leading up to his death, often staying indoors and making lengthy phone calls late into the night.
"One week before his death, he asked me if I had rat poison, claiming he needed it to deal with rodents in his house. Later, I learned he had gone to a chemist shop and succeeded in purchasing poison before travelling to his village," a neighbour said.
Utibe's story is one marked by hardship and resilience. Orphaned at a young age, he was raised by his aunt, who ensured he completed his secondary education. With support from family and friends, he set up a PoS business in Uyo, the state capital.
However, things took a dark turn when he allegedly got involved with a group of online fraudsters who introduced him to the Yahoo-Plus subculture-a dangerous blend of cybercrime and ritual-based beliefs.
Sources close to the family claim the experience disoriented him mentally and emotionally, leading him down a tragic path.
On the day of his death, Utibe reportedly travelled from Uyo to his hometown in Ini LGA. He asked relatives about attending church and requested financial assistance from his uncle, who gave him N10,000. He reportedly responded, "How much can N10,000 do?"-a statement now viewed as one of his final cries for help.
Later that evening, after returning from church, he waited until everyone had retired for the night before taking the poisonous substance. His body was discovered lifeless on the veranda the following morning.
The family, shocked by the incident, has vowed not to proceed with his burial until they fully understand the reasons behind his decision. A relative stated, "We will not bury him now until we know why he took the difficult decision to end his life."
The tragic case has sparked conversations online about the mental health challenges facing Nigerian youths, especially in the face of economic hardship, cybercrime, and a lack of adequate support systems.
Comments