Man climbs mast in Abuja to protest economic hardship, subsidy removal

July 8, 2024 3:55 pm

Man climbs broadcast mast in Abuja

Shaibu Yusuf, a resident of the federal capital territory (FCT), caused a stir on Monday when he mounted a broadcast mast belonging to the Aso Radio and Television.

Yusuf 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.

Owned by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), the broadcast station is situated on Katampe hill, along the Kubwa expressway.

In a note left on the floor, Yusuf said he would only come down from the mast if economic hardship, insecurity, and the out-of-school children crisis are addressed.

“Long enough for government to stand by and do nothing while Boko Haram, bandits and kidnappers are killing people in the country everyday,” the note reads.

“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.”

Yusuf remained on the mast for several minutes despite pleas from bystanders and rescue workers on the ground.

He descended from the mast after he was persuaded by Florence Wenegieme, acting general manager of the FCT emergency management department, who said his message would be delivered to the FCTA, the president and the federal government.