The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) prevented a suicide attempt by 24-year-old Shuaibu Yusha’u in Abuja on Monday.
Yusha’u, from Baga Local Government Area of Borno State, climbed a 120-meter mast at the top of Katampe Hill within the premises of Aso Radio and Television Services along the Murtala Mohammed Expressway and threatened to jump.
In his suicide note, Yusha’u stated that his drastic action was to urge the Federal Government to reverse the fuel subsidy removal, which he claimed had plunged the country into economic chaos, affecting the poor and vulnerable the most.
He also called on the government to declare a state of emergency in Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Niger, Kaduna, and Borno States due to terrorist attacks and rising insecurity. Additionally, Yusha’u demanded the reopening of national borders to allow food imports to tackle shortages and address the issue of out-of-school children.
Acting Director-General of FEMD, Mrs. Florence Wenegieme, who responded to a distress call about the incident, persuaded Yusha’u to abandon his plan. Wenegieme, visibly emotional, counselled him for about an hour before he climbed down.
She advised citizens against taking extreme measures to draw government attention to their plights, saying, “There are better ways to approach the government with concerns, and the responsible authorities would listen.”
Wenegieme emphasized that citizens could seek help from social workers at FEMD, the Social Development Secretariat (SDS) of the FCT Administration, hospitals, and other health centres for counselling.
She noted that the federal government was actively addressing insecurity and food security concerns, with President Bola Tinubu rolling out interventions to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal through palliatives and other incentives.
“I encourage aggrieved individuals not to take their lives but find a way to contribute to providing workable solutions to Nigeria’s problems,” she said.
The acting director-general promised to arrange counselling services for Yusha’u, who is currently in the custody of the FCT Police Command, by writing to the Mandate Secretary of SDS.
Wenegieme called for aggressive sensitization campaigns by the National Orientation Agency, religious organizations, and other relevant ministries, departments, and agencies to encourage people to see the positive side of life and discourage suicide.
She also underscored the need for desk officers at strategic locations where citizens can share their problems and solutions for the country.
Other agencies at the scene included the FCT Fire Service, National Emergency Management Agency, Social Development Secretariat, FCTA, Department of Reform Coordination, and Nigeria Police, among others.
