Police plan charging Abuja man with attempted suicide for climbing broadcast mast to protest hunger, Nigerians disagree
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has vowed to charge Shaibu Yushua to court with attempted suicide for climbing a broadcast mast belonging to the Aso Radio and Television to protest hunger.
Spokeswoman of the FCT Police Command, SP Josephine Adeh said via her X handle @Jossy_Dannyking that Yushua would first be subjected to mental evaluation and if found to be normal, would be charged with attempted suicide.
She said: “We have sent Shuaibu Yushau, the man who climbed a broadcast mast yesterday to the Social Development Secretariat for mental evaluation. If found mentally stable after the test, he will be charged to court for attempted suicide, disturbance of public peace and incitement.”
The spokeswoman said the offences of Yushua are contrary to sections 231,111 and 114 of the Penal Code Act.
But Nigerians would have none of it.
On X, they expressed disagreement with the police.
@__Sonofglory said: “So it is just better to commit suicide silently, closed doors so as not to disturb the public peace and incitement? Well done Nigeria Police.”
@drsolajohn said: “You mean the Nigerian Police still charge people to court for attempted suicide? Are you guys serious? Which normal person attempt suicide? Jesus! Again, you avoided the issues he raised about the suffering in the land and want to punish him? Sad!”
@nemeremibe said: “Instead of addressing the cause of the act, you guys are adding threats on it. Does Nigeria have practicing Clinical Psychologist?”
@Big_Ben_21 said: “Person talk say hunger dey, u dey charge the person to court. You guys have done well.”
@Sixkid55 said: “You people keep damaging the image of Nigerian police more.”
Yushua had said he climbed the mast to protest the prevailing economic hardship in the country.
He also demanded that the petrol subsidy regime, ended by President Bola Tinubu on May 29, 2023, be returned, in a note left on the floor of the mast.
“Long enough for government to stand by and do nothing while Boko Haram, bandits and kidnappers are killing people in the country everyday.
“Long enough for inflation rate to continue rising rapidly. Long enough for number of out-of-school children to continue increasing. Long enough for me to keep quiet.”
