A young PoS operator in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, tragically died by suicide after reportedly losing ₦2.5 million to internet fraudsters. The incident has sparked emotional responses and calls for increased mental health awareness and protective measures for victims of online scams and cybercrime in Nigeria.
A tragic incident has shaken the Atan Ofot community in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, following the death of a young man, Utibe Eteffia, reportedly driven to suicide after being defrauded of ₦2.5 million by suspected internet fraudsters.
Utibe, in his early 30s, was a Point of Sale (PoS) operator who ran his business near the NUJ Secretariat. Friends and neighbors say he had been visibly withdrawn in recent weeks, sharing cryptic and emotional messages on social media. Posts included symbolic images of candles and phrases like “Do you believe in reincarnation?”—raising concerns about his mental well-being.
In the days leading to the incident, Utibe reportedly began giving away his belongings, including his phone and ATM details to his sister. An acquaintance, Aniefiok Isang, revealed that Utibe once asked him for rat poison and later acquired it from a local chemist.
After visiting his hometown in Ini Local Government Area and spending time with relatives, Utibe was found dead on the veranda of his family home. Reports suggest he may have ingested poison. Though details remain unverified, some sources believe he was drawn into a fraudulent scheme tied to a cult-like “Yahoo Plus” group, intensifying his psychological distress.
His death has triggered emotional reactions both online and offline, with many urging more awareness about the mental health toll of cybercrime and better support systems for scam victims.
