A 40-year-old woman from Garin Mallam village in Guri Local Government Area, Jigawa State, has died by suicide after setting herself on fire. The tragic incident occurred following her divorce from her husband.
According to The PUNCH, the spokesperson for the Jigawa State Police Command, DSP Lawan Shiisu, confirmed the incident in a statement released in Dutse on Friday.
DSP Shiisu said the woman, whose name was withheld, doused herself in petrol and set herself ablaze on the outskirts of her village.
“On Thursday, at about 07:40 hours, the command received a distressing report from Guri indicating that a 40-year-old woman in Garin Mallam village had poured petrol on herself and set herself on fire.
She was burned beyond recognition,” Shiisu stated.
Police officers from the Guri Divisional Headquarters were dispatched to the scene, where they confirmed the incident.
“The officers arrived promptly, recovered the charred remains, and transported the body to the hospital before releasing it to the family for burial,” added Shiisu.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the woman had been suffering from depression in the months following her divorce, which may have led to her taking her own life.
The Commissioner of Police in Jigawa State, Mr Ahmadu Abdullahi, urged community members to turn to faith and seek solace in God during difficult times.
“People should always submit their affairs to Almighty Allah for guidance and seek advice and counselling from elders when faced with complex issues to prevent such tragic events,” Abdullahi advised.
This incident has raised concerns about mental health awareness and support systems in rural communities, particularly for those going through emotional and psychological distress.
