A 17-year-old mother, identified only as Deola, tragically took her own life following a misunderstanding with her spouse, Seyi, over the preparation of two cups of rice. The incident occurred in the Labi community of Akinyele Local Government Area, Oyo State, and she was laid to rest on Tuesday.
The Dispute
According to sources, the disagreement began when Seyi advised Deola to prepare two cups of rice for herself and their one-year-five-month-old child, as he would not be eating from it. Deola reportedly became upset over the comment.
A family member, speaking anonymously, shared, “The two of them had a minor issue over the measurement of rice. When she was trying to prepare food in the morning, the husband suggested two cups of rice since the food was meant for her and the child. To avoid further issues, the husband left home immediately.”
The Tragic Aftermath
After preparing the food and dropping her child at school, Deola reportedly consumed an insecticide in an apparent suicide attempt. Another family source recounted, “She suddenly became weak and started vomiting. After we discovered this, we called her husband, who had already left home, and rushed her to a nearby hospital.”
Deola was later transferred to another hospital in the Orogun community within Akinyele Local Government, where she ultimately passed away.
Community in Shock
The incident has left the Labi community in shock, highlighting the struggles young families face and the lack of support structures to address domestic and mental health challenges.
As of now, the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, has not commented on the case.
A Call for Awareness
This tragedy underscores the need for increased awareness of mental health issues and the importance of providing young families with resources to manage conflicts and stress. Community leaders and stakeholders must also work to create safe spaces for individuals to seek help and avoid such preventable losses.
Deola’s death is a heartbreaking reminder of the fragility of human emotions and the importance of addressing mental health and domestic issues with empathy and care.
