The Nigeria Suicide Advocacy Group has called for  decriminalisation of suicide to prevent and control suicide in Nigeria.

Prof. Taiwo Sheikh, the Consultant Psychiatrist, revealed this at the group’s maiden virtual meeting in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria reported that Taiwo, a lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, stating the major obstacles to suicide prevention and control was the law that criminalized attempted suicide.

He complained that Nigeria was among the countries in the world still criminalizing suicide, adding that the law that criminalized suicide in Nigeria came as a result of the British colonisation, as he disclosed the need for a  review and change of the law.

He said, “Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people and it’s most committed by low and and middle income countries, which Nigeria is one of them.”

Mohammed Mohammed, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, noted that suicide was a criminal offence in both the Customary Law and Islamic Law obtainable in Nigeria.

“In Nigeria, it is a criminal offence for anybody to attempt suicide or robbery. However, if a person successfully commits suicide, there won’t be anybody to be punished. But, if a person attempts suicide, he/she will be punished.

“And even with the punishments attached to robbery and attempted suicide in Nigeria, such offences are still on the increase, hence, the need for more advocacy and education so that the public will be well informed because what people attempting suicide need is help,” Mohammed said.

Prof. Cheluchi Onyemelukwe, a lawyer, also stated the way to go was to ensure the enforcement of the National Health Law.