Metro
Viral social media challenge: Nigerian teenager loses life attempting challenge
A 13-year-old boy, Nnamdi Glenn Ohaeri Jr., has reportedly died after attempting a dangerous social media challenge similar to past trends that have claimed multiple young lives.
The teenager was found unresponsive in his bedroom in Murrieta on the morning of February 3, just a day after watching the Grammy Awards with his family.
His mother immediately performed CPR while his father, Nnamdi Ohaeri Sr., sought help from a neighbor and called emergency services. Despite their efforts, the boy was later pronounced dead.
While initial signs pointed to a possible su!cide, his parents were unconvinced and began their own investigation. They soon discovered that their son may have been influenced by a hazardous social media challenge that dares participants to render themselves unconscious. The trend, similar to the infamous “Blackout Challenge,” has been linked to several deaths in recent years, raising concerns among parents and authorities.
Ohaeri Jr. did not have social media accounts, and his phone was equipped with strict parental controls, leading his parents to suspect he learned about the challenge from classmates or friends.
The grieving family now hopes their son’s story will serve as a warning to other parents. They urge families to be vigilant about the content and trends their children may be exposed to, whether online or through peer influence.
Ohaeri Sr. reflected on the tragedy, acknowledging that while he had educated his sons about the dangers of drugs, he had not considered the risks of social media challenges.
“We don’t talk about not following social media trends or playing social media games,” he said. “And maybe we need to.”
As they struggle with grief and unanswered questions, the family hopes their devastating experience will encourage more parents to have open conversations with their children about the hidden dangers of social media and peer pressure.
Authorities have not yet released an official cause of death, and it remains unclear whether the incident is being investigated as a su!cide or an accident. The Murrieta Police Department has not provided further details on the case.
There is tension among residents of Ikakumo community in Akoko Northeast local government area of Ondo state over the killing of a herdsman during a clash with vigilance group in the locality.
Two other persons including Commander of the vigilance were injured in the clash.
Some residents in the community said they were afraid of reprisal attacks from the herdsmen.
It was gathered that the clash occurred when a member of vigilance group challenged a herdsman who last month kidnapped one Balogun at Ikakumo community in Edo state.
A fracas ensued between the herdsmen and the vigilance group with one of the herders was stabbed to death.
The two injured persons were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Owo.
Ondo Police spokesman, Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, confirmed the incident and said investigation has commenced.
The District Head of Odugbeho in Agatu Local Government Area, LGA, of Benue state, Chief Anthony Adejoh has been murdered by suspected armed herdsmen.
Reports have it that the royal father and one Jerry John were gruesomely murdered Wednesday afternoon by the marauders at Otobi-Akpa in Otukpo LGA.
The duo were said to be working in their farms in Otobi when the marauders stormed the area and opened fire on them.
They were later discovered dead when the people who heard the sound of gunshots dashed to the scene and found them dead.
Confirming the development, the Chairman of Agatu LGA, Mr. Marvis Ejeh, said Chief Adejo was gruesomely killed on his farm at Akpa-Otobi by armed herders who invaded the area at about 10 am.
He described late royal father as a peace builder, an astute community builder and a community leader who would be greatly missed by all.
The Chairman said, “I can confirm to you that the district head of Odugbeho, Chief Tony Adej,o has been killed. He was killed by some armed herdsmen while working on his farm at Otobi in Otukpo LGA of the State.
“Despite hearing this ugly news, Odugbeho community is calm, our people are calm because we will not take law into our hands.
“Nobody is taking the law into their hands, there is no need for a reprisal attack because the incident did not happen at home. Agatu is calm and peaceful.”
The Agatu Chairman, who enjoined the people to be security conscious wherever they find themselves said “Agatu people residing and farming in other LGAs should be careful and watchful.
“They should liaise with the local authority and know the areas that are safe to work for now, since the government is trying to curb the issue of insecurity in the entire Benue South District or Zone c.”
Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent, CSP, Chatherine Anene said she had yet received reports of the incident.
The Lagos State Government has announced plans to prosecute 74 individuals apprehended for violating environmental regulations within the state.
According to the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the suspects were arrested during a coordinated enforcement operation by the state’s Taskforce in the early hours of Tuesday around 1 a.m., targeting key locations across the Lekki axis of Lagos Island.
The enforcement sweep covered areas including the Falomo Bridge, Eko Hotel Roundabout, Oniru Beach, Lekki Phases 1 and 2, and the 1004 Estate. A total of 72 men and two women were taken into custody.
Wahab explained that the operation aimed to restore order and sanitation in the affected areas.
He added that the suspects will face prosecution in accordance with state laws and urged residents to remain law-abiding and committed to maintaining a clean, orderly environment for all.
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