A 14-year-old boy identified as Pelumi has died by suicide in the Onipaanu area of Ogun State, a tragedy that has left residents of the community deeply distressed.
Reports indicate that the incident occurred shortly after the teenager presented a gift and a handwritten love letter to a girl who lives in his neighbourhood. The gesture, which drew the attention of people nearby, later became a source of embarrassment and fear for the young boy.
Recounting what happened, Rukayyat, the mother of the girl who received the gift, said the boy arrived in the area around 5pm on Wednesday. According to her, Pelumi asked someone else to deliver the gift and letter to her daughter while he stayed at a distance.
“When my daughter received the gift, she asked who sent it because she didn’t recognise the person,” Rukayyat explained. “It was then that people noticed Pelumi standing nearby and realised he was the one who sent it.”
She added that her daughter was surprised, as she did not know the boy and had no prior relationship with him. Some people around reportedly made lighthearted remarks, joking that he was too young to be giving gifts to a girl and teasing him about being ready for marriage.
Rukayyat stressed that the comments were not meant to be harsh or threatening. However, she said Pelumi suddenly ran away from the scene. About two hours later, news spread that a young person in the area had taken his own life.
“At first, I never imagined it was him because what happened earlier seemed like a very small issue,” she said. “It was later we learned that he ended his life because he was afraid his mother would punish him for giving a girl a gift and writing a love letter.”
The incident has shocked residents, many of whom described it as a heartbreaking outcome of youthful fear and emotional pressure. Community members have since called for greater awareness around adolescent mental health, urging parents and guardians to create safe spaces where children can speak openly without fear of severe punishment.
