Grief swept through Ozoro Community in Isoko North, Delta State, after a young man identified as Samson took his own life late Sunday night, July 6, 2025, following a cascade of personal losses that left him mentally and emotionally broken. Residents confirmed that Samson ingested a substance believed to be Sniper insecticide and died shortly after.
The deceased, once known for running a modest electronics shop along the Ozoro main road, had been battling economic hardship since a mysterious fire razed his shop in March 2025, wiping out his entire stock and life savings. According to locals, the fire incident was never fully investigated, and no compensation or external aid came his way.
Friends say the financial strain pushed Samson into depression. He reportedly became withdrawn and often voiced his frustrations about rebuilding from scratch without support. Matters worsened when his longtime girlfriend—whom he had supported through school—left him for another man in June, allegedly citing his inability to “provide stability.”
By Sunday evening, neighbours grew alarmed after noticing Samson’s door locked from the inside for hours. When they eventually forced it open, he was found lifeless, with an empty bottle of Sniper and a note that read: “I have tried. I have failed. May God forgive me.” His death has since triggered an outpouring of emotion online and offline across Delta communities.
Local mental health advocates are now calling on the state government to urgently invest in community counselling services, especially for young men navigating financial setbacks. “This was a cry for help that came too late,” said activist Favour Ovie. “Samson is one of many—there are others silently breaking.”
Delta State Police spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed receiving reports of the incident and promised an investigation. “We are looking into it and will provide official confirmation once inquiries are complete,” he told journalists in Warri.
Samson’s death has reignited national conversations around depression, economic hardship, and suicide prevention in Nigeria, where access to mental health support remains severely limited. As friends prepare to bury him this week, residents say they hope his passing will become a wake-up call for the government and society at large to do better—for the living.
