16-Year Old OAU Students “Committed Suicide” After Failing Dreaded Course

A 100-level student Microbiology at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Mercy Afolaranmi, has died amid suspicions she killed herself after failing a course.

According to her neighbour, Bimpe Oni in interview with CAMPUS REPORTER, Miss Afolaranmi, living off-campus, at Sabo area of Ile-Ife, died on Thursday, after she took “rat poison mixed with battery extract”.

She committed because of “emotional pressure”, said Miss Oni.

She was 16-year old.

Another student, Aisha, who was Miss Afolaranmi’s colleague in the Faculty of Science, said the deceased had ‘E’ in CHM101 (Chemistry for first year students), most dreaded course for Year One students in the science and technology related faculties. Student’s results were recently released.

“Mercy often isolated herself in class and often look depressed,” Aisha. “She told me she had ‘E’ in CHM101 and has been going around unhappy before this incident.”

Another student in the Faculty of Student, Opeyemi, said “she took poision because of result.”

The school’s Dean of Students’ Affairs,Isiaka Aransi confirmed the death of Miss Afolaranmi during a telephone conversation with CAMPUS REPORTER on Saturday.

“Although the reason and cause for her death is yet to be known,” Mr. Aransi, a Professor, said. “The division is aware of the death of Mercy. “”

“She was a student of department of Microbiology whose body has been taken to hospital for autopsy. When the result is out, the university community shall be communicated,” added Mr, Aransi.

CAMPUS REPORTER checked her Facebook profile and updates.

Before her death, on October 10, she posted that: “Above all other things, I just wanna see God, see what He looks like, speak with Him face to face. I don’t wanna miss heaven. LORD HELP ME.”

Students who spoke with this newspaper urged the authorities of OAU, the hospital and police to conduct thorough investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding Miss Afolaranmi’s death.