Man commits suicide in church premises

ABEOKUTA — A 67-year-old church guard identified as Matthew Isidahume, yesterday,  reportedly committed suicide with his lifeless body found dangling  within the premises of Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Gbagura, Ago- Oka, in Abeokuta  North Local Government of  Ogun State.

It was learnt that members of the church who converged for the morning prayers discovered the corpse of the deceased where he allegedly hung himself.

Men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and some policemen were seen at the place.

 The state Police Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi,  who confirmed the incident said  three guards were supposed to be on duty when the incident happened.

Adejobi  said: “The deceased left a suicide note which is currently assisting us in our investigation, but the command will do a thorough job toward getting to the bottom of the matter.”

However, a  member of the church council, who identified himself as Adekunle Adegoke, said the deceased was the church’s night-guard, adding that those who came for the morning prayer meeting met the gate locked and waited for about 30 minutes thinking the late Matthew was busy.

He said: “When there was no trace of him, the people decided to push a small boy across the fence and  the boy later returned with the sad news that Matthew had hung himself.

“Really, if you see him, the first thought will be that there was a sort of complex issue, probably there is a foul play. But looking closely you will see his footprints on the generator which showed that he climbed, tied something on his neck and then jumped.”