Central African Republic National Found Dead in Lagos Apartment

A national of the Central African Republic identified as Banteme has been found hanging from the ceiling of his apartment in the Ijede area of Ikorodu Lagos State in a case suspected to be suicide.

The incident happened on Wednesday and was discovered by his roommate who returned from work to find his lifeless body in the kitchen. Counterinsurgency expert Zagzola Makama shared details on X noting that the 23-year-old had left work earlier in the day to prepare a meal but was later found dead. Neighbours and friends described the discovery as shocking and said no suicide note was left behind.

The roommate raised the alarm and invited the police who evacuated the body. Makama said the deceased was taken to Ikorodu General Hospital where doctors confirmed him dead before his remains were deposited in the morgue for autopsy.

Confirming the case on Sunday the Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Police Command Babaseyi Oluseyi said the matter was reported on September 3 by the deceased’s friend. He explained that police operatives visited the scene evacuated the body and deposited it at the morgue. “It is suspected to be a suicide case but investigations are ongoing” he said.

The death of Banteme adds to the growing wave of suicides across Nigeria. Last week police in Anambra rescued a man from attempted suicide after he climbed a high tension pole in the Awada area. Operatives cordoned off the scene and persuaded him to come down alive.

Experts have linked the rising suicide trend to worsening economic hardship and its impact on the mental health of citizens.