Sniper, a highly effective insecticide used to eliminate insects, was the subject of conversation on Twitter Nigeria, on Thursday, due to the rampant use of the chemical by victims to commit suicide.
On Sunday night, Segun, a 22-year-old candidate of the 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), had attempted suicide using the insecticide via a live stream on social media, over his low scores in the April exam.
On Monday, Chukwuemeka Akachi, a young poet and an alumnus of University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), also took his own life after reportedly consuming two bottles of a poisonous substance suspected to be sniper.
In October 2017, Chinedu Iromuanya, a national diploma student of Nasarawa state polytechnic, had attempted committing suicide by drinking ‘sniper’.
Following the rampant cases of usage of sniper for suicide, a segment of Nigerians have taken to Twitter to call for the ban of the insecticide due to its affordability and the ease at which victims access the chemical.
The call was quickly opposed by another group of social media users who argued that the insecticide should not be blamed but “depression.”
“Federal government of Nigeria, Please, place a ban on Sniper now!!!!!!!!!!!!. Please lets retweet till those in authority take action,” a Twitter user said.
“Parents should take note, chemists and pharmacies should take note, no more selling of Sniper, that shit is causing more harm than good. Say NO to suicide, say NO to Sniper,” another user said.
Here is what some Nigerians had to say:
Federal Government Of Nigeria , Please, Place A Ban On Sniper Now!!!!!!!!!!!! . Please Lets Retweet Till Those In Authority Take Action. pic.twitter.com/ehyIZTOiWR
— Oluwadurotimi Dawodu (@TimiBlaze) May 16, 2019
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Parents should take note, chemists and pharmacies should take note, no more selling of snipper, that shit is causing more harm than good. Say NO TO SUCIDE SAY NO TO SNIPER pic.twitter.com/oZQBp4D320
— PP (@pesinpikinn) May 16, 2019
I actually support the product 'SNIPER' should be removed from circulation, just like it was done for codeine containing syrup. The epidemic of its abuse is of public health importance @NafdacAgency @IsaacFAdewole https://t.co/9iqzU25Vgg
— Kamal Alabi (@6a7641b46130485) May 16, 2019
I really want to know how the people that made Sniper are feeling right now? this one everybody is blaming them for suicide in Nigeria and asking for a ban of their product 😩
Advertisement— Suzzette (@queensuzzette) May 16, 2019
6 persons committed suicide using Sniper in the last 72 hours and no official statement from the company.
And some people want us to leave sniper alone.
No way!
BAN SNIPER NOW!
— Sam Eba (@SamEba_) May 16, 2019
Sniper is not the problem
Depression is 😔😔😔 pic.twitter.com/i1Xk60nY9s— Chidiebere Michael (@Cissedinla10) May 16, 2019
Ban? You actually think SNIPER is the problem? Why haven't you asked the Federal Government to dry up the Atlantic Ocean since people are jumping into it from the 3rd Mainland bridge or better still destroy the 3MB for same reason. https://t.co/cUHFMf5q7H
— J.OlaYinka 💙 (@OlaYinkaLeCaid) May 16, 2019
As life sweet reach how is sucide an option…….
Rope na to hang cloth,
bridge for cars and
Sniper for rat….. No do o #Survivor #SuicideNeverAnOption #SuicideAwareness— Nusky_tir (@OlojoOmart) May 16, 2019
See this plot: You ban sniper, sniper producers, workers, wholesalers and retailers go out of business. They become suicidal. Boom! They smoke mosquito coil.
Cure the sickness, not the symptom. People really need help.
— Olumide Elegbede (@Theodmaestro) May 16, 2019
It's stupid if u think placing a ban on sniper will reduce suicide in the society, like their are other ways to die too uno.
— Nonpareil 🌠 (@stanlee_og) May 16, 2019
Clamoring for the ban of sniper makes no sense. However I believe there is smth the company can do about it.
— Ibinabo (@Ibilababe) May 16, 2019
Assuming i wanted to commit suicide and had no access to sniper, whats the other most effective otc substance that is readily available?
If two of them come to mind, then we dont need a bill against suicide, we just need an environment that gives people hope. Aka a useful govt
— del (@_T_DEL) May 16, 2019
I don't see why sniper should be banned, people have abused codine, tramadol etc and made them be banned or expensive for people who truly need them to cure thier ailments, taking sniper is an abuse, suicide is not a solution, sniper nor be beer or spirit.
— iamI_O (@Olusola1860) May 16, 2019
People are ABUSING sniper. They are using it wrongly.
What is meant to kill Insects is now killing humans. Are we to blame SNIPER??
Don't forget that there are rat poisons too. More effective ones.
— MALIK♔ 🇳🇬 (@MalikAce_) May 16, 2019
I think the war against suicide goes beyond FG placing ban on #Sniper. Factors that triggers the urge (Depression) to take it should be tackled first.
KAP of mental health Issue in this part of the world is generally poor. Our psychiatric hospitals are less subscribed to.
— Chidume Nwabuwa (@NwabuwaChidume) May 16, 2019
Let's just ban knives, ropes, ceiling fans and the third mainland bridge since we want to ban sniper.
— Iced Strawberry 🍓 (@gerriewondie) May 16, 2019
Today they are the leading voice on sniper and suicide
Tommorow they are the very person seen dishing out Savage replies on the same platform
You ever wondered if your victims are depressed too?
— 👑Dexter'Miles™ SZN🌍🚀 (@_dextermiles) May 16, 2019
And after that what next?
Ban Guns because guns kill people not humans?
Destroy third mainland bridge because people can jump from there to commit suicide?
Ban food because over feeding can kill?Sniper is not the problem, tackling depression is the solution. https://t.co/8nBvlaSfrC
— Umeh and 99 others (@UMEHoma) May 16, 2019
You came to buy #400 sniper to use kill yourself with #500 and still want to collect #100 change?
You're not serious. Change no dey pic.twitter.com/jzGORgska7
— Ifeteka (@Ifetekaome) May 16, 2019
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