Jigawa: Woman sets herself on fire after divorce

A 40-year-old woman set herself on fire following her divorce in Garin Mallam village, Guri Local Government Area in Jigawa State.

DSP Lawan Shiisu, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Jigawa State, confirmed the event in a statement issued on August 23 2024, in Dutse.

He disclosed that the woman, whose name has been withheld, allegedly used petrol to ignite the fire.

“On Thursday at about 0740hrs, the command received a heartbreaking and pitiful incident from Guri LGA…

“That a woman, aged 40 of Garin Mallam village, poured petrol on her body…

“Set herself ablaze, and got burnt beyond recognition on the outskirts of the village.

“Following this report, a squad of officers from the Guri Divisional Police Headquarters raced to the scene and verified the incident.

”The officers took the charred body to the hospital and later released the corpse to the family for burial,” Shiisu said.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased had been struggling with depression for several months following her divorce from her husband.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Ahmadu Abdullahi, urged the public to turn to Almighty Allah in times of difficulty.

He also advised seeking counsel from elders to prevent such tragedies.

Divorce in Jigawa State

Divorce can be particularly stigmatizing in Northern Nigeria, including Jigawa State.

Cultural and societal norms often leave divorced women vulnerable to isolation, discrimination, and economic hardship.

The divorce rates in the region are difficult to quantify due to the societal pressures that discourage formal separation.

Women who divorce may face severe social consequences, including being ostracized by their communities and families.

This stigmatization can exacerbate feelings of rejection and depression, potentially leading to tragic outcomes like the one reported.

Mental health in the region

Jigawa State lacks mental health awareness and resources, worsening challenges individuals face with emotional and psychological distress.

The region has limited access to mental health care, and the stigma surrounding mental health issues often prevents people from seeking help.

In rural areas, traditional beliefs and limited mental health understanding lead to underreporting and undertreatment of conditions like depression.

An untreated mental health condition, worsened by her divorce, might have influenced the woman’s actions.

Previous incidents

Unfortunately, similar incidents have occurred in the region, reflecting a broader issue of mental health crises going unaddressed.

Jigawa State, like Northern Nigeria, has rising suicide and self-harm cases due to socio-economic pressures and lack of mental health support.

In 2021, a woman in Hadejia, Jigawa, attempted suicide with a harmful substance due to severe marital problems.

In another case, a young man in Dutse, Jigawa’s capital, took his life by hanging.

He struggled with depression from unemployment and financial difficulties, a common issue in the region leading to severe mental health problems.

These cases highlight a growing trend in Nigeria, where economic pressures and inadequate mental health support drive more people to suicide.

Experts have pointed out that without significant improvements in mental health awareness and services, such incidents are likely to continue.