SAD NEWS: 12-year-old Girl Hangs Herself in Ebonyi State

Chisom Okechukwu, a primary five pupil at Nnoche-Uduke Primary School 
in Ebonyi has committed suicide by hanging herself at her family 
compound. 

The young girl reportedly left home yesterday and was earlier today 
found hanging on a tree behind her compound. 

The incident took place at Nnoche-Uduke Community in Okpoitumo in the 
Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi. 

According to News Agency of Nigeria reports: 

Her dangling body was discovered by her younger sister, Ndidi, who was 
going to the toilet dug at the back of the compound. 

An eye-wtness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that 
Ndidi raised an alarm which attracted their parents and other members 
of the community who came and brought her down. 

"The whole scenario brought tension and confusion in the community as 
people were seen in clusters discussing the death. 

"People, especially some members of Okechukwu's family are of the 
opinion that she did not commit suicide and insisted on a thorough 
investigation to unravel the true cause of her death,'' said the 
witness. 

He claimed that a neighbour to the Okechukwu family had reported to 
the girl's parents that she stole her egg which made them to beat her. 

"After the incident, Okechukwu went inside their house, changed into 
her new cloth and left the house only to be seen dangling lifeless on 
a tree on Sunday,'' he said. 

Friday Itumo, an elder in the community told reporters that the 
incident was strange and such tragedy has never happened in their 
community. 

According to him, "Mr Okechukwu is not the girl's biological father as 
her mother came in with her when she re-married Mr Okechukwu after her 
former husband's death. 

"Her former husband's family members are now insisting that Mr 
Okechukwu should provide their daughter alive and this has compounded 
the problem," he said. 

Hundreds of sympathisers were seen trooping in and out of the 
compound, including her school mates who were visibly shocked by her 
sudden death. 

The Ebonyi State Police Command Public Relations Officer, ASP Chris 
Anyanwu, confirmed the incident, saying that the matter was reported 
to the Police Division in Ikwo. 

"We have commenced investigation into the girl's death to ascertain 
why she should engage in such act. 

"We can't confirm that she committed suicide because one can be killed 
and hanged by his or her killer, to claim that the person committed 
suicide. 

"We assure her family, members of the community and the whole state 
that we would get to the root of this matter,'' he said. 

The girl's body has been deposited at the Onueke General Hospital 
Mortuary in the Ezza South Local Government Area for autopsy.