The residents of the Elegbodo/Omoyanran compound and the entire neighbourhood of the Oke-Agbede area of Ogbomoso, Oyo State, were thrown into grief and agony on Sunday following the suicide of a 28-year-old bricklayer, Adekunle Atanda.
His swinging body was uncovered early Sunday morning in a dilapidated building at Asemolu compound, his mother’s family compound, where he took up residence, by a child setting containers for rainwater.
Atanda Adekunle, according to findings by newsmen, left no suicide note, and his mobile phone in his pocket was switched off, so no one could comprehend the reason for the self-murder.
Meanwhile, a co-resident of the compound, recognized as Tawa, and whose child discovered the body, told newsmen that it might be connected with hardship, stating that the deceased, a bricklayer, rarely went to work and fending for himself was a bit difficult.
According to her, the deceased was seen on Saturday, “he went out as usual and came back in the night and retired to his chamber.
“Ostensibly, he did not quarrel with anyone, but he sometimes complained that he’s a butt of jest and that he was wretched.
“On Sunday morning, at about 7 a.m., when the rain started to fall, I asked my daughter to put buckets and other containers outside to collect rainwater.
“But shortly after, she rushed inside, yelling that there was a rope around Adekunle’s neck. I went out to see his dangling body too.
“I raised alarm, people came around we tried to revive him but he was stone dead. He had climbed a bench to perpetrate the act.”
Atanda was an unmarried bricklayer but was unsure if he had completed his apprenticeship.
It was also gathered that his father, who was the custodian and masquerader of Egungun Omoyanran of Elegbodo compound, for many years, is late, while his mother, who is said to be domiciled in Sokoto, is on her way home after learning of the incident.
However, Atanda’s corpse has been deposited in a morgue.
The incident was confirmed by a source at Owode Police Station even as investigations into the matter have begun.
