Police arrest man who climbed mast in Abuja to protest economic hardship

The federal capital territory (FCT) police command says it has arrested a man identified as Shaibu Yusuf.

On Monday, Yusuf caused a stir when he climbed a broadcast mast belonging to the Aso Radio and Television, to protest the prevailing economic hardship in the country.

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

He later alighted after several minutes of persuasion by Florence Wenegieme, acting general manager of the FCT emergency management department, who assured him that his message would be delivered to the FCTA, the president and the federal government.

In a statement on Monday, Josephine Adeh, spokesperson of the police command, said Yusuf was in police custody and in a “stable condition”.

According to Section 327 of the Criminal Code, anyone who attempts suicide in Nigeria is guilty of a misdemeanour and can be imprisoned for one year.

“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 09:10 a.m, the operatives of the FCT Police Command swiftly mobilized to the location,” the statement reads.

“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.”