Widowed bricklayer hangs himself in Lagos, family expresses shock

Eniola Shotomi, a bright senior secondary school pupil 3, is worried sick over circumstances surrounding the death of her father Kayode Shotomi, who allegedly committed suicide, TopNaija reports.

Kayode, a 41-year-old bricklayer, reportedly hanged himself in his apartment on Oni Street, Alagbado area of Lagos State.

City Round learnt that Eniola, the deceased’s only child, and her aunt, Funmilayo, had gone to church on Friday, October 30, 2020, leaving 41-year-old Kayode behind.

On returning from the church around 9.30pm, they met Kayode’s body dangling from the ceiling to their surprise.

The case was reported to police and a team was deployed in the scene for the on-the-spot investigation.

It was gathered that no suicide note was found in his apartment, casting doubts on what could have led to the incident.

Speaking with our correspondent on Thursday, 18-year-old Eniola said her father did not show any sign of depression, adding that he related well with the family prior to the incident.

She said, “I am in SS3. He had been taking care of me since I was small after my mummy died. I was shocked that my daddy killed himself because he was not showing any sign of distress. He was doing fine at home when my aunt and I left for the church. His death came as a surprise to us.”

Kayode’s sister, Funmilayo, said his wife died many years ago and he didn’t remarry, adding that his death came as a shock to the family.

She said, “He has a daughter, who is 18 years old. She and I went to church on the day the incident happened. We came back and met him dead. He was a bricklayer. We didn’t notice anything strange about him. Policemen searched our apartment but they didn’t find any note.”

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Muyiwa Adejobi, said although the family did not suspect any foul play, the command had commenced investigation into the case.

He said, “One Funmilayo Shotomi of Oni Street, Mosalasi, Alagbado, Lagos, came to the station on October 30 and reported that on the same date around 9.30pm, she came back from the church and saw a crowd in front of her father’s house (on Oni Street).

“She asked them what was going on but nobody was ready to tell her what happened until she entered the room of his younger brother, Kayode Shotomi, a bricklayer, only to discover that he had committed suicide by using a rope to hang himself on the ceiling. She stated further that her family did not suspect any foul play as regards the death of his brother. Investigation is in progress.”