A woman, identified as Aishat Muhammad, reportedly died by self-immolation over her inability to repay a loan of N70,000 she obtained from a microfinance bank.
According to sources, Aishat, a mother of two, had taken the loan to start a business but could not repay it due to its failure. She had reportedly been harassed by the loan company and other debt recovery agents, which made her increasingly desperate.
Aishat's neighbour, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, "She told me that she had taken a loan from a microfinance bank, but her business collapsed due to lack of sales, and she was unable to pay back. The loan company had been harassing her, demanding that she pay back the money, which had given her sleepless nights."
On the day of the incident, Aishat was said to have locked herself inside her room before setting herself on fire. Her screams for help alerted neighbours, who tried to put out the fire and rescue her, but their efforts were in vain.
The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the incident and said that the police had launched an investigation into the matter.
The tragic incident has led to calls for stricter regulations on loan collection practices.
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