AGATU, Nigeria – A 14-year-old secondary school student, Nicknes Ayo, tragically committed suicide in the Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, after her mother pressured her to reveal the identity of the man who allegedly impregnated her.
The incident, which occurred at Egba on Saturday, March 29, 2025, has raised serious concerns about the mental health and welfare of young individuals facing family pressure.
According to a neighbour, Mama Enyi, the girl had returned home from school in Otukpo on Thursday, March 27, 2025, exhibiting signs of pregnancy.
When her mother noticed these signs, she confronted Ayo, asking if she was pregnant.
Following repeated questioning and threats of being taken to a local clinic in the village, Ayo reportedly ran away.
It was later discovered that she had ingested a substance believed to be Gammalin, a toxic pesticide.
Ayo was rushed to the village’s Ghana Clinic for treatment.
Dr. Oyaje Sule, the medical director of the clinic, confirmed that the girl was brought to the clinic on Saturday morning, with suspicions that she had consumed Gammalin following the pressure from her mother.
“It’s true that they brought the 14-year-old girl to my clinic this morning, and we suspected she had ingested Gammalin after her mother pressured her to disclose who was responsible for her pregnancy,” Dr. Sule said.
“When her condition worsened, I referred her to a hospital in Obagaji, but she unfortunately died on the way.”
The heartbreaking news revealed that the girl had lost her father a few years ago, and her mother’s pressure seemed to exacerbate her distress.
Ayo’s body was reportedly buried shortly after her death.
Efforts to contact local authorities, including the Chairman of the Agatu Local Government Area, Melvin James, were unsuccessful, as his phone was switched off.
Similarly, Catherine Anene, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Benue State Police Command, did not respond to phone calls when contacted.
