A 20-year-old student of the University of Ilorin, Sanni Hameedat, reportedly took her own life over financial difficulties.
Hameedat was reportedly in possession of N1 million, which she was holding for her mother. A man she met on Snapchat approached her, claiming he urgently needed N400,000 for his mother’s breast cancer treatment. Trusting his story, Hameedat decided to lend him the money, believing he would repay her.
Rubiks, the private hostel where Hameedat resided prior to her tragic end, in a statement on Wednesday. They revealed that Hameedat was participating in her SIWES programme when the incident occurred.
The hostel management believes that her death was largely due to the stress from loan app agents who were pressuring her for quick repayment. This, along with her brother’s inability to provide financial assistance, led to her depression.
The statement explained that Hameedat’s suicide was linked to financial mismanagement. She had been entrusted with a large sum of money by her mother. During this time, she befriended a man on Snapchat.
When this man claimed his mother was suffering from breast cancer and urgently needed N500,000, Hameedat, moved by his plight, decided to lend him half of the N1 million she was holding for her mother. The man promised to repay the loan. However, when her mother needed the money back, he abruptly severed all contact and blocked her. This left Hameedat in a difficult position.
To replace the missing N500,000, she turned to various loan apps. She managed to borrow N450,000 and added N50,000 from her savings to make up the total amount.
The statement further revealed that Hameedat reportedly consumed a bottle of a pesticide known as Sniper the night before her death. Her roommate (name withheld), who had gone to bed early, woke up in the middle of the night to find Hameedat in distress, foaming at the mouth and vomiting.
In a state of panic, the roommate sought help and Hameedat was rushed to UITH where she was later pronounced dead.
The University of Ilorin said they have commenced investigations into the incident.