A 72-year-old retired soldier, identified as Francis Dooga, has reportedly committed suicide within his compound opposite St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at Nyiniongun, a suburb of Makurdi, the capital city of Benue State.
The deceased was reported to have hung himself on a tree at his residence without leaving any note behind on Sunday.
The death of the septugenarian was said to have caused confusion in his neighbourhood as to what might have pushed him to such an act.
A resident of the area who did not want to be mentioned said none of the retired soldier’s family members was around when the man famously known as ‘Old soldier’ committed the suicide.
He said, “It was when one of the family members came in around 6:00 p.m. yesterday (Sunday) that he saw the body of the retiree dangling on a tree within the house that he raised the alarm.
“It was the alarm that drew the attention of neighbours to the house.
Another resident of the area who also pleaded anonymity explained that the ‘old soldier’ had earlier complained of hardship as a result of falling into the hands of people who allegedly defrauded him.
But none of the family members could volunteer information to journalists on the possible reason the retired soldier took his life.
When contacted, the state command spokesperson, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident in a terse message, saying, ‘We have the report and investigation is ongoing.”
