85-year-old woman commits suicide in Anambra

An 85-year-old woman identified as Victoria Ilione has reportedly committed suicide by jumping to her death from the third floor of a four-storey building in Anambra State.

The incident happened at Awada, near Onitsha, in the Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Haruna Mohammed, confirmed the incident to our correspondent.

Mohammed said, “Around 5.20pm on Tuesday, there was a distress call to the  Awada Police Station that one Victoria Ilione, aged about 85, allegedly jumped to her death from the balcony of an apartment on the third floor of a four-storey building, where she stayed with her daughter at No. 18 Ilodibe Street, Awada.

“The octogenarian was reported to be having some mental challenges and had her movement restricted. She was at home with her caregiver, one Judith Amumuche, 32, at the time of the alleged incident.

“However, before the arrival of the police at the scene, one Benedicta Ikediaso of 3-3 Housing Estate, Onitsha, who is said to be the victim’s daughter, reportedly took the corpse away to an unknown destination, but blood stains were seen at the scene.

“The caregiver and other witnesses at the scene are helping the police to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident.”

The PPRO said the Commissioner of Police in the state, John Abang, enjoined members of the public, especially those taking care of the aged, to be extra careful when handling them in order to avert similar ugly incidents.