Hardship in Nigeria: Man who climbed Abuja mast to commit suicide released after mental examination

Police command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja has released Alhaji Yushau Shuaibu, who attempted suicide as a protest over the country’s biting socio-economic hardship.

He was released on bail to his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju on Thursday. 

On the morning of July 8, Shuaibu Alhaji Yushau was spotted atop a mast in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, apparently attempting to take his own life.

A video captured the incident, and a suicide note allegedly written by him was also discovered, as reported by SaharaReporters.

Relevant agencies were deployed to the scene to rescue him.

He was later arrested by the police and sent to the Social Development Secretariat (SDS) for mental assessment and evaluation.

However, Josephine Adeh, FCT Police Public Relations Officer, in a statement on Friday said the assessment report indicated that he is mentally stable. 

She added that symptoms of anxiety, persistent worry, and fears were observed in the course of profiling him. 

She said: “The assessment report indicated that he is mentally stable. However, symptoms of anxiety, persistent worry, and fears were observed in the course of profiling him. 

“The FCTA SDS recommended that the suspect should be allowed to report weekly in their office for further psycho-social care and support, hence the reason for admitting him to bail.

“Following his release on bail, his lawyer, Adeyanju, is required to present him whenever his presence is needed at the command.”

The police earlier described attempted suicide as a criminal offence punishable by a one-year prison sentence.

This assertion was made by SP Bright Edafe, the spokesperson for the Delta State Command, in a tweet, while explaining the arrest of Shuaibu Alhaji Yushau in Abuja.

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