34-Year-Old Painter Commits Suicide in Lagos Neighbourhood

KUNLE AKINRINADE
The normal quiet life of occupants of 19,Adebiyi Street,Somolu,Lagos State was stirred to life on Tuesday May 24,2011 when one of the tenants of the building Ismail Kalejaiye took his own life.
Ordinarily, that fateful day should have been one of the happiest days in the life of 34-year-old deceased who was a painter in his lifetime. He just got a painting contract worth N200, 000 after experiencing a lull in his business and had bought materials worth several thousands of naira to execute the project.
Unfortunately, moments after he returned from the mosque, where he had gone to perform Asri at 4p.m. he went straight to his room and hung himself with a rope tied to the ceiling of his apartment.
The apparently unaware neighbours of the deceased soon knew better when the deceased’s brother who lives with him returned from work later in the evening only to discover that the door to their apartment had been locked from the inside.
When he could no longer comprehend what was going on, he allegedly forced the door open and was shocked to see his brother’s body dangling from the ceiling. He subsequently alerted neighbours to the discovery at about 6.p.m.
Within a twinkle of an eye, the incident attracted mass of residents who trooped out to catch a glimpse of the gory sight of Kalejaiye who was said to be popular among residents.
The landlord of the building, Mr. Sunday Mate explained that he was not aware of the incident until the deceased’s brother broke the news to him.
He said:” I was shocked when his brother who lives with him raised the alarm upon discovering the body of his late brother dangling from the ceiling. No one could comprehend the reason for his action because he did not leave any suicide note. He was such a gentle person and I have never seen him quarrel with anyone since he moved into my house”
Findings revealed that Kalejaiye’s girlfriend had earlier visited him on the fateful day and she was said to have left him at 2p.m. after helping him out with some house chores.
One of his sisters simply identified as Nurat was said to have visited him in the morning and she had promised to talk to their elder brother oversea to assist the decease.
Some tenants of the building who spoke with our correspondents on a condition of anonymity explained that they were shock that Kalejaiye who they described as unassuming could take to suicide.
“It was shocking to discover that Mr. Kalejaiye who we popularly called Alfa could take to suicide. He was such an easy going and he never had any misunderstanding with any of us since he moved into this house a few years ago. Only God knows what could have led him to take such a misguided decision because he was planning to get married soon. In fact, his girlfriend was here today and she left in the afternoon”, said one of his co tenants.
It was gathered that the mother of the deceased who was unaware of the incident had called his mobile phone severally while the body of her son was still dangling from the ceiling while one of his brothers based overseas was also said to have called him.
Findings further revealed that his brother based abroad had offered to facilitate his travel to the United State of America (USA) when the deceased complained of business downturn only a few months ago.
A source said: “Only recently, one of his brothers in the US offered to take him to the country when he (Kalejaiye) complained of lull in his business. You won’t believe it that while his body was still dangling from the ceiling that same brother also called his mobile phone”
A highly placed police source at the Alade Police Station, Somolu confirmed the incident.