By Olukayode Michael, Maiduguri
John Achagwa, a personal steward to Governor Kashim Shettima on Tuesday, committed suicide inside the Borno State Government House. He did not leave any note.
Achawa’s
lifeless body was seen dangling from a tree at the Borno State Government
House.
It was a gory situation as many gathered to watch the the steward’s remains dangling
on a Neem tree at the back of the Presidential Lodge at the centre of Borno
State Government House, Maiduguri.
The crowd that watched Achagwa was unprecedented, as many, had gathered to get
a parting gift from Shettima, who vacates the Government House on Tuesday after
eight years in office.
The cause of the suicide remains a mystery, as people could not put a finger to
want might have made Achagwa to end his life.
Many people said it was difficult to know the reason behind the deadly decision.
Some of his colleagues, who spoke anonymously, told journalists that he had
maintained unusual quietness since he resumed work on Monday.
One of them said: “He didn’t utter a word since morning. He just kept to
himself. We were together till about 2pm until he suddenly disappeared.”
Men of the state Fire Service and security personnel were immediately mobilised
to the scene of the incident to bring down the victim from the tree. It was the
first time such incident would occur in the state House.
Briefing journalists
on the incident, the Borno State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Aliyu said
investigation has commenced on what could be responsible for the death.
He said an autopsy would be done on him as part of investigation on the cause
of death.
He said his family and friends would be asked questions to get to the root of
the incident.
He however revealed that preliminary investigation showed that the man was
financially comfortable.
He said the corpse of the deceased has been deposited at the morgue.
Achagwa was said to have retired from the Borno state civil service about eight
years ago before he was given a retainership by the Borno State Governor.