Mother Cries... My son can't kill himself, he was manipulated

Many have yet to come to terms with what could have led a teenage undergraduate of Babcock Uni, Verishima Unokyur, to take his own life, write Punch's Gbenga Adeniji and Motunrayo Joel.

In what appeared as a clue to the mystery surrounding the suicide act by a part-two student of Babcock University, 19-year-old Verishima Unokyur, his mother, Patricia, on Friday said her son couldn’t have done such to himself without external influence.

The mother, who was pensive and heart-broken, told some sympathisers who came to console the family in their home in Ewu Tuntun, Mafoluku Oshodi area of Lagos that her son never gave her any trouble while alive.

She also disclosed her notice of his extremely reserved and shy nature which gave her concern.

She said sadly, ‘‘Why would my dear son commit suicide? He cannot do that. I know him. He was manipulated and God will fight for us. I will forever love my son. I know he was too reserved. I forced him to talk to me. I asked him if he was facing any threats anywhere or he didn’t like the school he was attending but he said no. Since he entered the university, his reserved nature got worse. He was neat and obedient. He is a son I wish to have again and again.’’

Verishima, who hailed from Benue State and was studying Social Work at Babcock, committed suicide in their apartment after the New Year when his mother, who works with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, was away on night duty and his younger brother, Asor, was asleep.

It was gathered that the deceased’s mother is a widow who has not remarried since the demise of her husband about 15 years ago but dedicates her time to the care of her two boys.

A source close to the family who refused to be named said the woman created time for her kids by taking them out most times and also frequently visited Verishima in school.

“Their mother is a very wonderful person. She gave up everything for the joy and comfort of her boys after the death of their father. She ensured that the boys lacked nothing. One would think Verishima was the son of a king because there was nothing he needed that he did not get. She also gave them attention, always ready to talk with them to know what was worrying them at anytime. She is a great woman and an amazing mother. Only God knows what went wrong because this woman did her best for her late son,” he said.

When approached by one of our correspondents for an interview, the distraught woman politely and vehemently refused to speak on the incident, noting that she detested publicity until the unfortunate development drew attention to her family.

Sources told Punch that prior to the suicide act, the teenager had a wonderful New Year celebration with his family members. It was also learnt that he ate to his satisfaction on that day without giving any inkling that he would soon depart from the family.

Besides, it was gathered that the deceased was an usher in the pentecostal church which the family attends.

Reacting to the incident, the spokesperson for Babcock University, Mr. Joshua Suleiman, who described the late Verishima as a little reserved, said he was an A grade student.

Suleiman stated, “Verishima was a good student; his academic performance was excellent. He always obeyed instructions and was easy-going. We rated him as a student who was law-abiding. Whether in class or in his hostel, you would never catch him behaving rudely to anyone. He had a good character and was disciplined. At this very moment, the school grieves over his death and we sympathise with his mother. It is saddening, nobody expected this. We are deeply saddened over his departure.”

The Spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Dolapo Badmos, told Punch that the case was under investigation. She added that the command was working to unravel the matter.

Some of Verishima’s friends have continued to mourn his death on social media. One of them, Christiana Omolola, linked the development to ‘spiritual attack,’ while asking God to give his family the fortitude to bear the loss.