The police at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja say they have in custody a man seen atop a radio mast in a bid to commit suicide, on Monday morning.
Viral video shots showed Shuaibu Yushau on the top of the mast, saying he wanted to commit suicide over the prevailing economic hardship.
Security operatives launched by the Fire Service, National Emergency Management Agency and Federal Capital Territory officials finally persuaded him to abort the move.
In a statement later on Monday evening, Josephine Adeh, Police Public Relations Officer, FCT command said the suspect was in police custody.
The FCT Command Police Public Relations Officer reported: “Following a distress call from concerned citizens about a young man who climbed a very high mast with a placard at ASO Radio in Katampe at about 09:10am, the operatives of the FCT Police Command swiftly mobilised to the location.
“With much professional persuasions from the police operatives, the man later identified as Shuaibu Alhaji Yushau was prevented from taking his own life. He claimed to have been observing the mast for about a week before deciding to climb it. Suspect is presently in police custody and in a stable condition.
“Further development will be communicated in due course.”
The 28-year-old man, Nurudeen Lliyasu, climbed the telecommunication mast in Abuja, with posters having different inscriptions were seen along the AYA Road and at the foot of the mast.
They read: “Another hope betrayed battered, mutilated with collapsed economy.
“Inflation and hunger is killing Nigerians,
“Unemployment continues unabated,
“Nigeria is on the precipice of collapse.”
Revealing that he would remain on the mast for the next seven days, he said he was ready to sacrifice his life for the progress of the country.
He said: “I am on hunger strike to protest and register my grievances on the condition of the country; I will remain here for the next seven days and I do not mind if I die here.
“If my dying on this mast will change the economy of this country, then I choose to die for others to live a good life.
“I have not eaten for days and also other Nigerians, if I die on this mast I am not worried, no roads in the states only in the city of Abuja you can see good roads.
‘’The doctors have said that a man can survive only on water without food for some days, I believe I can and if I cannot I will die.”
