A man in his mid-30s, known as Baale or Radical, has tragically taken his own life after allegedly receiving a notice to quit his apartment due to his inability to pay the increased rent.
The rent for his one-room apartment on Moshalashi Road, Egan, Igando area of Lagos State, was reportedly raised from N35,000 to N60,000 annually.
According to a source who spoke on the condition of anonymity, Baale had been under pressure over the rent increase and had an altercation with his wife after receiving the quit notice.
He reportedly expressed his despair to his wife, indicating that she would soon mourn his death due to his inability to pay the rent.
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The tragic incident occurred on Sunday night when Baale, after returning from a gathering with friends in Iba, consumed a poisonous substance suspected to be an insecticide.
A young man who was present at the scene managed to stop him and called for help. Despite efforts to save him, Baale was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
Baale is survived by his wife and four children.
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The wife declined to comment when contacted, and the Lagos State Police Command is yet to receive an official report on the incident.
The circumstances surrounding Baale’s death highlight the challenges faced by many Nigerians in meeting their basic housing needs, particularly in urban areas where rent prices are on the rise.