A 30-year-old teacher based in Limbe, South West Region, is reported to have committed suicide Thursday, September 21, after discovering that his newly wedded wife was cheating on him with his best friend.
The man, identified as Ngum Elvis, was found dead in his house and findings revealed that he drank a poisonous substance to take his own life.
One of Elvis’ paternal aunts said he sent a voice note to her that morning before reportedly taking his own life. In the voice note, Elvis reportedly said his death would be on the heads of his wife and best friend, who were having a love affair.
“If I die, my blood would be on my wife’s head and that of my best friend with whom she has a love affair,” the deceased is quoted to have said.
Elvis’ body was taken to the Limbe Regional Hospital mortuary as the police continued investigating the tragic happening.
The incident comes barely two weeks after the World Suicide Prevention Day was observed on September 10 under the theme: “Creating Hope Through Action”.
Cameroon’s suicide rate has been on the rise during the last decade. In a website article published in 2021, CRTV reported that suicide rate in Cameroon increased from 4.9% in 2012 to 12.2% in 2019 and that more men were taking their lives than women.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among persons aged between 15–29 years, with 700,000 suicide deaths recorded globally every year.
The most prevalent suicide methods, the WHO adds, are ingestion of pesticide, hanging and firearms.
By Washira Helene
