72-year-old Veteran soldier hangs self in Makurdi

Tragedy struck in Nyiniongun, a suburb of Makurdi, Benue State, as a 72-year-old veteran soldier, identified as Francis Dooga, reportedly took his own life within his compound opposite St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.

The distressing incident unfolded on Sunday when Dooga was found hanging from a tree at his residence, sending shockwaves through the neighborhood.

Topnaija reports that the veteran soldier, popularly known as ‘Old Soldier,’ left no note behind, leaving residents puzzled about the motive behind his apparent suicide.

According to a resident who preferred to remain anonymous, none of Dooga’s family members were present at the time of the incident. It was only later in the evening, around 6:00 p.m., when a family member arrived and discovered the lifeless body, triggering an alarm that drew the attention of neighbors.

The community is grappling with the sudden and unexpected loss, with speculation arising about the possible reasons that might have led the veteran soldier to take such a drastic step.

A resident shared that Dooga had previously expressed hardship, attributing it to falling victim to individuals who allegedly defrauded him.

Despite these accounts, family members have remained tight-lipped about the circumstances surrounding the tragic event.

The state command spokesperson, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident, assuring that an investigation is underway to shed light on the factors that led to the retired soldier’s suicide.