Grief and shock have gripped the residents of Akpakoruk Street, Atan Ofot, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, following the tragic suicide of a young man, Utibe Eteffia, reportedly defrauded by internet fraudsters.
Eteffia, said to be in his early 30s and a native of Ini Local Government Area, allegedly took his own life after losing N2.5 million to suspected Yahoo Boys. He was the operator of a Point of Sale (PoS) business situated opposite the State Council Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and was well known in the community.
According to multiple sources, Eteffia ingested a poisonous substance after days of emotional turmoil and withdrawal. Disturbing social media posts, including one featuring a lit candle and the caption “Do you believe in reincarnation?”, hinted at his declining mental state. He also implored his followers to “be their brother’s keeper.”
Neighbourhood sources, including one Eka Baby, confirmed the deceased had become visibly withdrawn in the days leading up to his death. Another resident, Aniefiok Isang, recalled seeing him cry frequently and engage in long, late-night phone calls, sometimes until 4:00 a.m.
“A week before his death, he came to my house asking if I had rat poison,” Isang said. “He claimed it was to get rid of rodents, but something didn’t feel right.”
Ubong Idem, another local, confirmed that Eteffia eventually purchased a poisonous substance from a nearby chemist before traveling to his village in Ini LGA, where he ended his life.
Raised by an aunt after losing both parents at a young age, Eteffia was described as a resilient young man who fought hard to build a life. Family and friends had contributed financially to help him start his PoS business. However, it was gathered that he became entangled in an online cyber deal after being introduced to a cult-like Yahoo-Plus operation, which ultimately duped him and destabilized his mental health.
“He became disoriented. The whole situation warped his thinking. He started talking about the afterlife and reincarnation,” a close family source revealed.
On the day of the incident, Eteffia reportedly asked his uncle for a loan. When the uncle replied he only had N10,000, Utibe murmured, “How much can N10,000 do?” Later that evening, he went to a local church and returned home quietly. After everyone had retired to bed, he consumed the poison.
His lifeless body was discovered the next morning on the veranda of the family home, sending shockwaves through the community.
Currently, the family has put burial arrangements on hold, demanding clarity on the full circumstances surrounding his death. “We will not bury him now until we know why he took the difficult decision to end his life,” a family member stated.
The tragic loss has reignited concerns around cyber fraud, mental health, and the vulnerability of young Nigerians trying to navigate harsh economic realities. Community leaders are calling for increased mental health awareness and stronger safeguards against cybercrime.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
