A Junior Secondary School (JSS) 1 student of a private primary school in Obada-Oko, Abdul-Rahman Sanusi, reportedly took his own life, leaving the school management and immediate community questioning the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The teenager reportedly took his own life shortly after being scolded by his parents for arriving late from school.

The school head, Olusesi Taiwo, expressed disbelief, saying: “That day was not the first time he went home late. And the scolding they said the parents gave him was not true because, even if the parents had scolded him, they would have scolded all three of them (alongside his two siblings).”

Also, a teacher in the school, Muhammed Salami, refuted claims of academic stress or bullying, describing Sanusi as an active and cheerful boy who even played football on the day of the tragic incident.

Salami said the school had not observed any signs of psychological distress in the student.

A resident, who did not want his name in the print, expressed surprise that a young JSS1 student could contemplate suicide. He suggested the boy might have faced underlying issues and urged parents to pay close attention to their children, look out for signs of distress, and offer support.