Residents of Zombo Town Council, Zombo District, are grappling with grief and shock after an 18-year-old man tragically took his own life by self-immolation on November 2, 2024, in Uwope Cell, Abira East Ward.

The deceased, identified as Sunday Omirambe, reportedly had ongoing domestic conflicts with his family, as some neighbours revealed.

The community described the young man’s situation as troubled and marked by strife, compounded by a struggle with mental health issues.

Local council leader Michael Asiri, LCI chairperson of Uwope Cell, confirmed the devastating incident and shed light on the young man’s mental state.
“The deceased had been suffering from mental illness. In the early hours of Saturday morning, he set three family huts on fire before locking himself inside his hut and setting it ablaze,” Asiri explained.

Eyewitnesses at the scene, including a resident known only as Saviour, described the horrifying aftermath.

“He was burned beyond recognition, and all the household belongings were destroyed,” Saviour recounted, the trauma of the sight evident in his voice.

Ismael Odubi Avur, a security advisor in the Office of the Prime Minister for the Alur Kingdom, expressed deep regret over the incident.

He emphasized the importance of treating individuals struggling with mental health issues with care and humanity.

“We must exercise caution and empathy when dealing with those suffering from mental illness,” Avur urged, highlighting the vulnerability of such individuals.

Adding to the chorus of concern, Mike Joram Anyolitho, the Zombo Town Council District Councillor, called for patience as investigations unfold.

“We need to remain calm while authorities complete their inquiry into the circumstances surrounding this tragedy,” Anyolitho said, urging residents to support each other during this distressing time.

By the time of reporting, Zombo Police had arrived at the scene to recover the body and launch an investigation into the incident.

Authorities are working to understand the underlying causes that led to this heartbreaking event and to offer support to the grieving family.

This tragic case has drawn painful parallels to a 2021 incident in Arutha Cell, Oturgang Ward, Paidha Town Council, where a couple similarly set themselves on fire, perishing inside their locked home.

Such cases are a sobering reminder of the urgency to address mental health challenges and promote awareness in communities.

The charred remains of the hut where Sunday Omirambe met his untimely end now stand as a stark symbol of loss and the unaddressed struggles faced by some members of the community.