By ISAAC SHOBAYO, Jos

An unidentified middle-aged man was in the early hours of Thursday committed suicide by setting himself on fire at the Garden of Peace and Forgiveness close to Our Lady of Apostle Hospital in Jos, Plateau State.

Tribune Online learnt that the man clad in caftan suspected to be commercial tricyclist arrived the garden at about 8:30 am, parked his tricycle some meters away and went straight to sit in the garden.

An eye witness whose shop is close to the garden disclosed that after sitting for about ten minutes he went straight to his tricycle for four litters of petroleum and lighter, soaked himself with the fuel before setting himself ablaze.

“Initially I was surprised to see a man sitting alone at the garden at that hour, especially during harmattan. He surveyed the garden and the environment to ensure that no one was watching. He went straight to his tricycle to carry fuel, soaked himself with petroleum and set himself ablaze.

“It was at this point that I raised alarm and other people doing business within the vicinity dashed to the garden to rescue the young man. But before they could put the fire off it had done enough damage on him, burnt beyond recognition and collapsed.”

The eye witness further added that the young man died before the police arrived the scene of the incident while some of the relations who arrived before the police took away his remains said he had attempted to take his life two days before the incident.

According to a man who claimed to be his relation but refused to mention his name, he had complained that he could no longer bear the suffering and smiling syndrome.

When contacted the State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Gabriel Ubah, declared thus: “I got wind of it but it has not been reported to the command but I will enquire from the nearby division and get back to you.” (Nigerian Tribune)

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