Crime
Psychiatrists: Marriage To Wrong Person Can Trigger Suicidal Thoughts, Depression
Psychiatrists: Marriage To Wrong Person Can Trigger Suicidal Thoughts, Depression
A toxic marriage with frequent conflicts due to marrying the wrong person could have a devastating impact on one’s mental health, according to psychiatrists.
The mental health experts cautioned that marrying the wrong partner could lead to depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts, stressing that marital conflict negatively affects the mental health of both husbands and wives.
Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise, the physicians emphasised the importance of choosing the right partner, pointing out that marrying someone not compatible might also lead to persistent stress, regret, and anxiety.
There has been a disturbing trend of individuals taking their own lives due to marital problems and related issues.
PUNCH Healthwise reports that this alarming trend has been observed in various cases, including two recent incidents involving Nigerian nationals residing in the United States.
In one of the cases, a 64-year-old Nigerian professor at Kutztown University in Pennsylvania, Chukwudubem Okafor, fatally shot his Jamaican wife, Cheryl, before taking his own life in a tragic murder-suicide.
According to Detective Joel Vonnille of the Berks County Coroner’s Office, the investigation revealed that the couple had marital problems, which led to the devastating incident.
In another incident, a 36-year-old Nigerian cardiologist based in the United States, Dr. Ikenna Erinne, reportedly committed suicide after losing a child support case to his ex-wife.
The prolonged divorce battle, including the custody of their children, had taken a toll on Dr. Erinne, who was ordered to pay $15,000 in monthly child support.
These tragic incidents highlight the growing concern of marital problems leading to mental health issues and, in extreme cases, suicide.
Reacting, some mental health experts who spoke with our correspondent, stressed that marrying the wrong partner could have severe consequences on one’s mental health, including depression, anxiety, and even suicidal tendencies.
A Psychiatrist, Dr Sunday Amosu emphasised the significance of selecting a compatible marriage partner.
Amosu, who is the Head of Drug Addiction Treatment Education Research at Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Ogun State, noted that ignoring parental advice and proceeding with a marriage that was not approved could lead to a range of problems, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal tendencies.
According to the mental health physician, when individuals enter into a marriage without proper guidance and support, they may struggle with feelings of isolation, loneliness, and depression.
He explained that this could be particularly challenging when the relationship turns sour, and the individual feels unable to seek help from their parents or other trusted authorities.
Amosu stressed the importance of pre-marital counseling, noting that many people get into problems because they didn’t undergo counseling before getting married.
He advised individuals to seek the services of professional counselors, mentors, or accountability partners who can provide guidance and support during and after marriage.
The psychiatrist also noted that marital problems could have severe consequences on mental health, including depression, anxiety disorders, and even suicidal tendencies.
He emphasised that individuals should prioritise their mental health and well-being when choosing a partner, rather than ignoring potential red flags or sacrificing their happiness for the sake of the relationship.
“So, people should not die in suffering. When there is violence, don’t keep quiet. Don’t die in silence. Cry out. If you cry out, the solution may be on the way. Somebody may come to your rescue.
“We know that sometimes the couple may need to separate for some time and later come together again rather than being killed like a chicken. I think people should not die in silence. They should come out.
“What is yours will always be yours. We encourage people to come out and speak out. If this man will marry you, he will still marry you. If this lady will marry you, she will still marry you. If you go into marriage under deceit, and this person gets that discomfort, he or she may leave you. And the fear you had at the beginning of not losing, ultimately will still happen. Then is it worth the trouble? We must be sincere in marriage,” he stressed.
Speaking further on how marriage can lead to mental breakdown, the psychiatrist added, “It has also been found that marital discord usually precedes depression in those who are married. So, another group of people are those who have suffered a mental breakdown, because they didn’t tell their spouse, whether it is the husband or the wife, how exactly they feel.
When either of the partners discovers, usually a lack of trust will come in.
“When there is a lack of trust, the person will not trust again; it will be a serious one. And sometimes the marriage may break down.
“Also, when there are major life challenges that people go through, maybe exit events, somebody suddenly dies, it is a sort of kidnapping, ritualism, an armed robber came to the house and raped the wife in the presence of the husband, they may not enjoy that relationship again.
“These are major life traumas. Even with the stresses that we go through, and the challenge of our children; maybe they are not doing well in school as expected. So, all those things will tend to people developing depression.
“Even physical illness. When they have some physical illness and they have to use medication for a long time, people have cancer. They also develop depression.
“So, all these are in the context of a relationship. If a partner is not aware, there will be a problem later.”
Continuing, the mental health physician said, “Today, it is important that our youth must be patient when it comes to relationships. Even for parents, we must be able to guide our children appropriately.
“What we need is to support them, remove sentiment, and be sure that they’ll be able to live together and all the necessary support that they need in marriage, we must be able to give them.
If they are not able to cope, if one partner is not happy, they may also have a mental breakdown. Most of the time, it is usually with depression. So, parents need to be careful.
“Youth must be sure of what they are going into. Like I always warn, if parents are saying no, please be careful. If you are a male like me and you have younger siblings who are female, if you bring somebody and they don’t approve, you need to be very careful.
“People must be careful. We must make an informed decision and be sure that we are making the right decision. If not, sometimes people will have to live with regret for the rest of their lives.”
On his part, a psychiatrist at the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos State, Dr. Oyebode Fadipe emphasised the importance of choosing the right partner.
According to him, marrying someone who is not compatible with you can lead to a lot of conflict and stress.
Fadipe explained that when individuals are in a relationship with someone who does not understand or support them, it can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation.
He further stated that when individuals are in a relationship with someone who does not share their values or goals, it could lead to feelings of frustration and resentment.
He noted that marrying the wrong person can also lead to a loss of identity.
Psychiatrists
When you’re in a relationship with someone who is controlling or manipulative, you can start to lose sense of who you are and what you want,” he said.
The psychiatrist noted that it is essential for individuals to take the time to get to know someone before committing to marriage.
He warned, “Rushing into a marriage without properly getting to know the person can lead to disastrous consequences.
“Being able to communicate effectively with your partner is crucial for building a strong and healthy relationship.”
The physician stressed the need for individuals to prioritise their mental health and well-being when choosing a partner.
“You should never feel like you are sacrificing your happiness or well-being for the sake of a relationship,” he said.
NSCDC Arrests Ex-AEDC Worker Zegbe, Others Over N350m Cable Theft
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has arrested a former employee of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, Isaac Zegbe, and other suspects over the alleged vandalism and theft of electricity cables worth over N350m.
Eereporter.com
Zegbe, 25, was arrested alongside his accomplices by operatives of the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad during intelligence-driven operations across the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Plateau, Kogi, Benue, Niger and Kaduna states.
The National Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC, Assistant Commandant Babawale Afolabi, disclosed this on Monday during a press parade at the Corps’ national headquarters in Abuja and at the scene of the cable vandalism in Yangoji, Kwali Area Council of the FCT.
Afolabi said the suspects vandalised over 15 kilometres of aluminium conductors running from Yangoji to Abaji, with the stolen cables subsequently distributed to marketers in various markets across the FCT.
He said, “As part of ongoing operational successes to safeguard Critical National Assets and Infrastructure and eradicate crime, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has arrested Isaac Zegbe, 25, a former employee of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, alongside his accomplices, who vandalised over 15 kilometres of aluminium conductors running from Yangoji to Abaji, valued at over N350m.”
Following a sting operation, the NSCDC also recovered a significant quantity of the vandalised cables at Gudu Market, Abuja, and arrested suspected receivers. One of the suspects, identified as Chijoke Christian, was alleged to have knowingly purchased the stolen cables.
Afolabi said the Corps had obtained a court order to seal the shops of merchants linked to the purchase of the stolen aluminium cables
“The stolen cables were subsequently distributed to marketers across several FCT markets. Following a targeted sting operation, NSCDC operatives recovered a significant volume of vandalised electrical cables at Gudu Market and arrested suspected receivers, including Chijoke Christian, who confessed to knowingly purchasing the stolen cables. The Corps has secured a court order to seal off the shops of all merchants linked to buying stolen aluminium cables”, Afolabi said.
He said the arrests formed part of the NSCDC’s ongoing efforts to protect critical national assets and infrastructure and curb criminal activities across the country.
The suspects were identified as Adamu Yusuf, Hassan Bukar, Adamu Musa, also known as Yellow, and Abdulsalam Isa, aka Kada. He said operatives also arrested four suspected members of an armed robbery gang identified as Nuhu Ndam, Ponbin Lamkur, Yilcwat Sohdan and Ganpyal Dul.
An AK-47 rifle with serial number 3152097, 16 rounds of 7.62x39mm live ammunition and N70,000 cash were recovered from the suspects. The NSCDC further disclosed that its operatives recovered Micaiah Nana, the last of 16 children allegedly trafficked by Archibong Anderson on January 15, 2026.
According to the Corps, the individuals who allegedly purchased the child had been arrested and were assisting investigators.
Other suspects arrested included Bilyaminu Musa and Abba Yusuf, who were accused of vandalising power cables in the Abuja city centre, and Theophilus Oche Oboii, who was arrested over the alleged theft of 15 tractor batteries belonging to the National Agricultural Seeds Council in Kwali.
The NSCDC said the batteries were allegedly sold for N20,000 each.
NSCDC
Other items recovered during the operations included a stolen Toyota Camry with registration number YAB 163 EE, cut armoured electrical cables, 15 tractor batteries, master keys, cutting tools, knives and a stolen travel bag containing clothing.
Afolabi assured that the Corps would continue to deny criminal elements safe havens, adding that the suspects would be charged to court after investigations.
He said, “All suspects will be formally charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations and the establishment of a prima facie case against them.”
Eereporter.com
Nigeria Police Warn Against “Social Media Verdicts” on Rape Cases
The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, has warned against the growing practice of reaching verdicts on rape allegations through social media before investigations are concluded or cases are determined by the courts.
Eereporter.com
Babaseyi made the observation in a Tuesday statement examining the handling of rape allegations, the influence of social media on criminal cases and the treatment of men who report sexual violence.
He said social media had increasingly become a platform where allegations were judged before the police investigated them, evidence was examined or lawyers and courts had the opportunity to test the facts.
“The courtroom now has a competitor. It is called the internet. And sometimes, it is faster than justice. But speed is not the same as truth,” Babaseyi said.
According to him, rape was one of the gravest allegations a person could face and should therefore be treated with seriousness, sensitivity and proper investigation.
He stressed that an allegation should not automatically be treated as a conviction.
Babaseyi said social media could play a positive role by exposing issues that might otherwise remain hidden, encouraging victims to speak, raising public awareness and putting pressure on institutions to act on legitimate complaints.
However, he warned against treating social media posts, videos and screenshots as proof of guilt.
“A post can go viral without being verified, a video can create an impression without providing the complete context, and a screenshot can be genuine and still tell only part of a story, ” the PPRO said.
The police spokesman said investigators had a responsibility to establish facts rather than manufacture guilt or innocence.
He said police investigations involved receiving complaints, protecting complainants, identifying and interviewing relevant persons, preserving evidence, examining digital communications, considering medical or forensic evidence where available, tracing witnesses and testing competing accounts.
“The investigation must be willing to follow the evidence wherever it leads. That is what makes policing credible, not the ability to satisfy the crowd, but the courage to pursue the truth.”
Babaseyi also called for an end to the mockery of men who report rape, saying the gender of a victim should not determine whether their experience was taken seriously.
“A male victim is still a victim. His gender should not make his experience less believable,” Babaseyi said.
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He noted that Nigeria had different legal frameworks governing sexual offences, including the Criminal Code, Penal Code and Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, as well as applicable state laws.
According to him, while the Criminal Code and Penal Code contain provisions traditionally framing rape around male perpetrators and female victims, the VAPP Act uses broader language.
He argued that the Act’s reference to “another person” and “the other person does not consent” meant that men could also be victims of rape under the broader framework.
Babaseyi, however, noted that the applicable law depended on the jurisdiction and legislation in force.
“Rape is not a popularity contest. It is not a gender war, it is not a social-media referendum.”
The police spokesman also stressed that consent should not be assumed because of familiarity, a relationship or previous consensual sexual encounters.
“Knowing someone does not automatically mean consenting to sex.
“Being in a relationship does not automatically mean consenting to every sexual act. A previous consensual encounter does not create permanent consent,” Babaseyi said.
He said members of the public should be able to take allegations seriously without automatically declaring an accused person guilty.
“We can take an allegation seriously without declaring the accused guilty.
That is not contradiction, that is justice,” he said.
Babaseyi urged the public to focus on the truth rather than take sides based on personal preferences.
“Instead of asking: ‘Whose side are you on? Perhaps we should ask, whose side is the truth on?’”
He said justice required both compassion and due process, adding that victims should be protected without abandoning fairness to accused persons.
“Let us therefore create a society where a woman can say, ‘I was raped,’ without being silenced. Where a man can say the same without being mocked.
“Where the accused can say, ‘I am innocent,’ without being convicted by strangers.
Police
“And where the police can investigate without being forced to choose between compassion and impartiality,” Babaseyi advised.
Babaseyi concluded that justice should not be determined by which party the public preferred to believe.
“Because justice is not served when we simply choose the person we prefer to believe.
“Justice is served when we create enough room for the truth to survive the noise,” he said.
Eereporter.com
Crime
Navy Uncovers 10,000 Litres of Suspected Illegally Refined AGO Stored for Onward Sale in Rivers
Navy Uncovers 10,000 Litres of Suspected Illegally Refined AGO Stored for Onward Sale in Rivers
The Nigerian Navy has uncovered a warehouse containing approximately 10,000 litres of products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) during an anti-crude oil theft operation around the Eleme Express area of Rivers State, exposing a suspected storage and distribution point within the illicit petroleum supply chain.
Eereporter.com
The discovery was made by NNS PATHFINDER on 12 September 2026 during a patrol of the Eleme-Okrika-Onne general area. The product, contained in 400 jerrycans of 25 litres each, was suspected to have been sourced from locations outside the immediate community and stored for onward sale to buyers. No illegal refining site was identified at the location.
Beyond the volume recovered, the operation was significant because it disrupted a critical link in the illicit petroleum supply chain. The operation denied illicit operators a facility to accumulate and move illegally refined products to the market, thereby constraining the commercial network that sustains illegal refining activities.
Oil
The recovered products were subsequently handled in accordance with established anti-crude oil theft procedures. No arrest was made as the suspected operators fled upon sighting the naval patrol team.
ABIODUN FOLORUNSHO
Navy Captain
Director Naval Information
Nigerian Navy
Eereporter.com
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