A businessman, Akinbolusere Kayode, popularly known as Tolufe, has allegedly committed suicide at Igba Town in Ondo State, after lamenting his personal and business challenges in a video that has gone viral on social media.
Akinbolusere, 46, reportedly died in his office beside BOVAS Petrol Station, Igba Town, at about 3pm on Thursday.
The State Police Command confirmed his death in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Jimoh Abayomi in Akure on Friday evening.
Abayomi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) said detectives who visited the scene of the incident recovered two empty bottles suspected to have contained Sniper insecticide.
He explained that members of the public reported the incident, prompting operatives attached to the Bolorunduro Division to visit the scene.
According to a statement, the two empty bottles suspected to have contained Sniper were recovered from a nearby bush during the police visit.
“The incident was reported following information received from members of the public that the deceased, a resident of Road 7, Housing Estate, Igba, had died in his office located beside BOVAS Petrol Station, Igba Town, at about 1500hrs on the said date.
“Upon receipt of the information, police operatives attached to Bolorunduro Division visited the scene, where two empty bottles suspected to have contained Sniper insecticide were recovered from nearby bush,” it said.
His remains have been evacuated and deposited at the State Hospital Morgue for preservation and further examination.
The statement noted that no foul play or visible marks of violence were observed on his body at the time of examination.
It, however, added that preliminary findings indicated that the deceased had allegedly recorded a video before his death, in which he lamented his life struggles.
“Preliminary findings also revealed that the deceased had allegedly recorded a video before his death, which has since circulated on social media, in which he reportedly lamented about his life struggles,” the statement said.
The video, a copy of the footage obtained by The Nation in Akure, has since circulated widely on social media.
In the emotional recording, Akinbolusere spoke about his business challenges, humble beginnings and relationship with his wife, whom he lauded for standing by him throughout his struggles.
He repeatedly insisted that nobody forced him to decide to hand over his properties to his wife and three children.
The businessman also expressed regret over how he had treated his wife, admitting that she was not responsible for the difficulties in their relationship.
Although he didn’t not mentioned his wife name but he recounted how she supported him from his early days as a barber and stood by him as he built his business.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, in the state, CP Felix Ohagwu, has directed a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident to establish the actual cause of death.
Ohagwu urged members of the public to refrain from speculation and allow the investigation to run its course.
He also advised individuals experiencing emotional distress, marital challenges or other personal difficulties to seek timely support and assistance rather than resort to actions that could endanger their lives.