The Nigerian Police are preparing to prosecute a young man who, last Friday, attempted to coerce President Bola Tinubu into stepping down by threatening to end his own life. The individual, whose identity is being withheld, climbed a 33kv high tension pole in the Mayo-Belwa Local Government Area, located in Adamawa State, demanding the resignation of President Tinubu before he would descend.
The Adamawa State Police Command, acting promptly, intervened and successfully rescued the man on Saturday night. Following his rescue, the man was taken into custody and remains in detention in the state capital. According to SP Suleiman Nguruje, the Public Relations Officer of the Adamawa State Police Command, the man will face charges for attempting suicide, which is a criminal offense under Nigerian law. The police emphasized that it is their constitutional duty to protect lives and property, and anyone threatening to take their life will be held accountable by law.
Nguruje, in an exclusive interview with PUNCH Metro on Sunday evening, confirmed that the command would publicly parade the individual on Monday, with the intention of prosecuting him for his actions. "Attempting to commit suicide is a crime under the Nigerian constitution, and as such, we are preparing to charge him to court," Nguruje explained. The command further highlighted that this was a serious matter that required legal action, as no one is allowed to bypass the law or create public disturbances in such a manner.
The incident occurred on Friday, which happened to be Mayo-Belwa’s market day, drawing significant attention from local residents. The young man climbed the high tension pole along the Yola-Jalingo highway, insisting that he would not come down unless President Tinubu resigned from office. His drastic action prompted the intervention of both police officers and local residents, who eventually managed to convince him to descend from the pole on Saturday night.
While the police are keeping his identity confidential, the man is reportedly in protective custody in the Criminal Investigating Department of the Adamawa Police Command. His alleged attempt to blackmail President Tinubu into resigning is now secondary to the more pressing legal action he will face for attempting to commit suicide. The police have indicated that they are committed to ensuring that the law takes its course in this matter.