By Juliana Francis
Mr Solomon Neye, Case Manager at the Ambassador for Peace and Enlightenment Foundation, has shared the heartbreaking story of Florence, a 17-year-old secondary school student whose life was cut short last year following an unsafe abortion.
Attempts by this reporter to reach Florence’s family were unsuccessful. Neighbours at their residence in Ijegun, Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, explained that the family had relocated to their village after the tragedy.
Recounting the incident, Neye said Florence’s first romantic relationship was with Okechukwu, a 17-year-old boy who attended the same school.
The two often met at his house whenever his parents were away. When Florence missed her menstrual period, she confided in her boyfriend but kept the pregnancy hidden from her parents.
“Weeks turned into months,” Neye recalled. “By the time the pregnancy could no longer be concealed beneath her school uniform, she was nearly three months along, and no one at home knew. Okechukwu, frightened and desperate, sought help from a nurse who claimed she could terminate the pregnancy. She gave him medication, assuring him it would solve the problem. Florence trusted her boyfriend and took the drugs.”
The consequences were devastating. Florence began bleeding heavily, and when her family discovered what had happened, they rushed her to the hospital.
Despite the doctors’ efforts, she had already lost too much blood. The medication had caused severe internal damage, and she did not survive. Her father later revealed she was his only daughter and an exceptionally brilliant student.
According to Neye, Florence’s story reflects the experiences of many teenage girls in Lagos State.
He stressed that unintended pregnancies often leave girls without accurate information, trusted adults to confide in, or a support system to protect them.
“Many resort to abortion not because they have made a fully informed choice, but because they are driven by fear; fear of their parents’ reaction, fear of rejection by their partners, and fear of being left with no options at all,” he said. “Instead of receiving help, they are harmed by people who claim to care.”
Neye emphasised that these tragedies stem from deeper issues: inadequate sexuality education, the absence of honest conversations between parents and children, and limited access to reliable reproductive health information.
“At the Ambassador for Peace and Enlightenment Foundation, we share these stories not to shock people, but to advocate for something better: access to quality medical care instead of dangerous shortcuts, and open, honest communication within families. Silence has already claimed too many lives. We cannot allow it to claim more,” he said.
Pharmacist Jonah Okotie, Managing Director of Engrace Pharmacy in Idimu, Lagos State, explained that there are no legitimate over-the-counter medications for abortion.
“The substances often used are unapproved and unsafe. Many were designed for entirely different purposes but are misapplied. In some cases, even common items such as lime are mixed with other substances in misguided attempts to induce abortion,” he said.
Okotie warned that access through illicit channels poses serious dangers, stressing that education and awareness are the real solutions.
He added: “In most cases, these substances are used incorrectly, resulting not only in failed attempts to terminate pregnancies but also in severe harm to the individual’s health. Those who supply or enable such practices face legal consequences, including imprisonment.
“For those seeking to avoid pregnancy, there are several safe and effective options, including approved contraceptive medications, condoms, and other preventive methods. Anyone who chooses to engage in sexual activity should also take responsibility by using appropriate precautions.”
The National Library of Science underscores this concern: “Unsafe abortion remains a serious threat to women’s health. Efforts must be maximised to prevent unwanted pregnancy by making contraceptive services easily accessible. Effective post-abortion care services also need to be put in place.”
This report was facilitated by the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) as part of the Memorial Campaign on Ending Preventable Deaths from Unsafe Abortion in Lagos State. Series3
