By: Manoah Kikekon
The quiet community of Iragon in Badagry Local Government Area was plunged into mourning on Tuesday following the discovery of the lifeless body of John Kotin. Mr. John, popularly known as Karube, a well-known resident of the area, was found suspended from a tree deep within the forest, an incident that has sent shockwaves through the neighborhood and sparked conflicting accounts of his final moments.
The grim discovery was made at approximately 12:00 pm by a local resident who had ventured into the forest to fetch firewood. Horrified by the sight, the resident raised an alarm, drawing a crowd of onlookers and community leaders to the scene.
While initial reports suggested a clear case of suicide, the circumstances leading up to the event have painted a complex picture of a man allegedly struggling with deep-seated personal trauma.
According to eyewitnesses and community members speaking to local outlets, the late John had reportedly been battling severe depression.
The roots of his distress are said to date back to few months ago, following a public domestic scandal involving allegations of his wife’s infidelity and a subsequent pregnancy.
Although the matter was partially mediated at the Baale’s palace, neighbors noted a sharp decline John’s mental well-being, observing that he frequently spoke out of context and showed signs of memory loss in the weeks leading up to his death.
However, a conflicting narrative has emerged from the community leadership.
When contacted for confirmation, the Baale offered a different explanation, suggesting the death might have been a tragic workplace accident. He stated that "John, is a palm wine tapper by profession, and had gone out for his daily routine and may have accidentally fallen from a palm tree, becoming entangled and hanged by his equipment or the tree's natural structure in the process."
But from investigation, and further findings it was clear that John had hanged himself on the tree, as there is information from some sources that, he has once attempted poisoning himself after the incident on the wife.
As of the time of this report, traditional rites and administrative procedures are being finalized to retrieve the corpse from the forest for a proper burial.