A family and residents of Edim Otop Street in Calabar, the Cross Rivers State capital was met with tragedy yesterday after a retired captain of the Nigerian Army, Friday William, was found dangling on a mango tree outside his apartment.
It was gathered that the father of eight, who have already been taken to his hometown in Mkpat Enin, Akwa Ibom State, allegedly tied a rope on the mango tree outside his apartment in the night while his family was asleep and hung himself for a reason yet to be ascertained.
According to a neighbour, Abasi Imoh, "We woke up in the morning to behold the body dangling on the mango tree outside the compound and we do not know what was responsible for his action," Abasi stated.
The neighbour said before hanging himself, the retired captain reportedly sent a text message to his son, who lives in Port Harcourt at about 10:00pm, to condole with him over his death and advised him to be strong to take care of his siblings.
"He sent the text to his first son at about 10:00pm to condole with him over his own death, but the son did not see the message until he got a call the next morning that his father had committed suicide and I feel he had tied the rope ready for the act before he sent the text," he said.
Abasi also revealed that the man had about three cars and got a lot of money from his retirement benefits two years ago and was living well which is the reason many people are surprised with his action.
"He was not poor because he had three cars and had built a house in his village and was generally doing well that is why we were surprised with his action."