Tragedy in Abia as man parks car by roadside, hangs himself on nearby fence

Residents of Umuahia South Local Government Area in Abia State were left in shock on Thursday, April 17, 2025, after a man identified as Andrew Chukwuka Nwosu reportedly took his own life along the Olokoro-Umudike Road.

Nwosu, 32, who hails from Itaja Obuohia Olokoro in the same LGA, was said to have parked his car by the roadside that morning before using his belt to hang himself on a nearby fence.

Eyewitnesses who stumbled on his lifeless body alerted the police, sparking widespread disbelief among locals and commuters who gathered at the scene.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Abia State Police Command, DSP Maureen Chinaka, told journalists:

“Yes, the incident happened. One Andrew Chukwuka Nwosu from Itaja Obuohia Olokoro in Umuahia South LGA was found hanging on a fence along Olokoro-Umudike Road.”

She added that officers from the Ubakala Division responded swiftly to the distress call. The body has been moved to Madonna Mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

“There was no sign of violence on the body. Photographs were taken at the scene, and a preliminary investigation is ongoing,” Chinaka said.

At the time of filing this report, the motive behind the suspected suicide remains unclear.

In other news, A Chinese national captured in a now-viral video handing out cash to Nigerian police officers has broken his silence, offering clarity on what many have called a “shameful” incident.

In the footage, several officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) were seen lined up to receive N5,000 each from a delegation led by the Chinese man. The video sparked outrage online, with critics accusing the officers of compromising their integrity.

Reacting to the controversy on Thursday, the man identified himself as the leader of the Chinese delegation and explained that the money was handed out as a gesture of appreciation.

“What you see in the video was a friendly and open interaction — nothing was done in secret and nothing inappropriate happened,” he said.

According to him, the action was rooted in a cultural tradition common in China. “It’s a common Chinese tradition to show appreciation or kindness to people who are doing their jobs well — especially when they’ve been helpful or respectful,” he stated. “That was all it was: a kind gesture, not a payoff or alleged bribe.”

He further apologized for the unintended consequences of the video, stating: “We are sorry about how this played out. Despite this experience, we remain committed to Nigeria.”