Nigerian actress Chidera Adiele has taken to social media to appeal to the public for support as her younger brother battles drug addiction and mental illness.
The actress, in a video shared on Instagram, revealed that the burden of caring for him has left her physically and emotionally exhausted, as she explained that her brother’s condition began after he gained admission into university in 2019.
She said he has been admitted to several psychiatric hospitals across the country, including facilities in Abeokuta, Yaba, Gbagada, Benin and, most recently, the 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Yaba.
She said: “He was in the psychiatric ward for three months and they recently asked me to come pick him up because they said they couldn’t keep him there indefinitely. The max they can keep a patient there is three months.”
The actress disclosed that after his discharge, the family took him to Zion Ministry for spiritual intervention, but his condition deteriorated again shortly after returning home.
Speaking further, she revealed that she has been her brother’s primary caregiver for years, despite leaving the family home to protect her daughter, only for her family to later move back in with her after being served a quit notice.
She said: “I’m the first child. I’m tired. I’m so tired of carrying responsibilities that I had no business carrying.
She continued: “I’m done being the sacrificial lamb. I’m done being the one who has to take care of everybody, and nobody cares about me.”
Adiele also expressed concern for her daughter’s safety, revealing that her brother has previously been seen wandering the streets of Lagos unclothed.
She added that soaring accommodation costs have made it impossible to secure separate housing for him and ended her appeal with a heartfelt plea.
She pleaded: “I’ve done what I can do… I’m tired. Please, I’m drowning. I need help.”