Ogun State | December 12, 2025 – A tragic incident has thrown the Onipaanu community of Ogun State into mourning after a 14-year-old boy, identified simply as Pelumi, died by suicide shortly after being teased for giving a girl in his neighbourhood a small gift and a love letter.
According to findings by SaharaReporters, Pelumi had visited the neighbourhood on Wednesday evening to deliver the gift to a girl named Adijat. The gesture, which appeared to be an innocent expression of teenage affection, quickly turned into an emotionally overwhelming moment for the boy after adults and youths around playfully teased him.
How the Incident Unfolded
Speaking to journalists, Rukayyat, the mother of Adijat, recounted the events leading up to the tragedy. She stated that Pelumi arrived around 5 p.m. and sent a third party to deliver a wrapped gift and a handwritten note to her daughter.
“On Wednesday evening, around 5pm, he came to our area. The boy is 14 years old and he brought a gift alongside a letter to my daughter, Adijat,” she said.
Upon receiving the gift, Adijat and those around her began trying to identify the sender. Pelumi, who had been standing at a distance, was eventually pointed out by passers-by familiar with him.
“My daughter then expressed surprise because she doesn’t know the boy and they had nothing in common,” her mother explained.
Eyewitnesses reportedly joked that Pelumi must be “ready for marriage” if he could send a gift to a girl at such a young age. While the teasing was said to be mild and delivered in a playful manner, it appeared to have deeply embarrassed the boy.
“It was just lighthearted teasing,” Rukayyat emphasized. “No one insulted him or attacked him. We were all just surprised.”
A Sudden Disappearance and a Devastating Discovery
Not long after the teasing, Pelumi reportedly fled the scene. By around 7 p.m., news began circulating that a young boy in the neighbourhood had taken his own life.
“At first, I didn’t think it could be Pelumi because from the accounts, it was just a minor issue,” she narrated.
However, details later emerged indicating that Pelumi had died by suicide out of fear that his mother would reprimand or beat him if she discovered he had given a girl a gift and written a love letter.
The revelation has left the community reeling, with many expressing disbelief that a moment of adolescent innocence, compounded by fear of parental consequences, could culminate in such a heartbreaking decision.
Community in Shock
Residents described Pelumi as a quiet boy who kept mostly to himself. Local leaders and neighbours have called for improved emotional support for young people and greater awareness of the pressures adolescents face.
“This is a painful reminder that even small actions can have unintended consequences,” a community elder said. “Children should feel safe to express themselves without fear of severe punishment.”
Authorities have not yet released an official statement, but community members are urging parents to adopt calmer approaches to discipline and to foster open communication with their children.
The tragedy has sparked conversations across Ogun State and beyond about the mental health of minors, the emotional impact of teasing, and the fear-based parenting styles that often leave young people vulnerable.
Pelumi’s death remains a devastating loss in the Onipaanu community—a stark reminder of the fragile emotional world of teenagers.
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