A Syrian national resident in Sokoto for more than 40 years has died in a suspected case of suicide after allegedly consuming insecticide, the Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed.

Zagazola report that the incident occurred on Wednesday at about 9:30 p.m. at Gawon Nama Zaga Road.

Police said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) received a distress call from one Tukur Registrer, who reported that a 16-year-old boy, Ahmad Aliyu of Gagi area, rushed into a nearby mosque to alert worshippers that his employer, identified as Abdulrahman Badenjki, had been found ingesting mosquito insecticide.

Upon receiving the information, the DPO and operatives immediately mobilised to the residence. The victim was found unconscious, lying on his bed. A container of Executor mosquito insecticide was reportedly found on a blue plastic chair beside him.

Police said the scene was photographed and secured for further investigation, while the victim was rushed to the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, where a medical doctor confirmed him dead on arrival.

The corpse has since been deposited at the hospital mortuary for autopsy.

According to a source from the Command, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Criminal Investigation Department (DC CID), has visited the scene and taken over the case for discreet investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. (Zagazola, excluding headline)