14-year-old Kills Self Over Pregnancy In Benue

A 14-year-old Secondary School Student, Nicknes Ayo, has taken a poisonous substance leading to her demise after her mother pressured her to name the man who impregnated her.

The incident happened on Saturday at Egba in the Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.

A neighbour who identified herself as Mama Enyi told Punch that the girl who was schooling in Otukpo returned home on Thursday with signs of pregnancy.

“Her mother, who noticed some signs of pregnancy, inquired from her if she was pregnant or not. It was after much pressure and a threat to be taken to a clinic in the village that the girl ran away.

“She was later found in her room, having taken a substance suspected to be bottle Gammalin, and she was rushed to the village clinic known as ‘Ghana Clinic’ in the village.''

When contacted, the medical director of the clinic, Dr. Oyaje Sule, popularly known as Dr. Ghana, said that the girl was brought to her clinic on Saturday morning.

He said, “It is true, they brought a 14-year-old girl to my clinic this morning and were suspected to have taken Gammalin when her mother pressured her to disclose who was responsible for her pregnancy.

“But when the situation was getting out of hand, I referred her to the hospital in Obagaji, headquarters of Agatu local government, unfortunately, she died on the way.

“As I am talking to you, the girl whose age was put between 13 and 14 years old had been buried. Unfortunately, she lost her father a few years ago.''

Efforts to reach the chairman of the local government, Melvin James, were not successful, as his phone was switched off.

Similarly, Catherine Anene, the Police Public Relations Officer for the State Command, did not pick up her phone when contacted.