By Kolawole Ojebisi
Barely a week after creating a scene by mounting a 33kv high tension electricity pole and giving a ridiculous codition as the only reason he would get down, one 30- year-old Abdullahi Mohammed is now reportedly undergoing mental examination.
Mohammed, who had canvassed for President Tinubu’s resignation from office as the only condition that would get him down from a dizzying height, is said to be currently on admission at the Yola psychiatric hospital.
The Adamawa State Police Command disclosed this on Thursday. According to the command, the incident happened in Mayo-Belwa last Friday.
It was stated that Mohammed had threatened to take a plunge from the towering height of the electricity pole to end his life if his demand was not met.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Adamawa police command SP Suleiman Nguroje said Mohammed’s action had caused pandemonium in the neighborhood before he was rescued and arrested.
Nguroje explained: “When the police from the Moyo-Belwa division rescued Abdullahi Mohammed, from the 33kv high tension electricity pole, some hard drugs were discovered on him including green leaves which he confessed to be Indian hemp.”
He added: “The suspect further confessed during his interaction with the police that he takes Indian hemp and other hard drugs. He was behaving abnormal, so we had to take him to the psychiatric hospital for a detailed medical examination. We are still waiting for the medical result before we can take the next action.”
The spokesman of the command, who described the man’s action as suicidal, noted that the suspect was persuaded to come down from the high tension electricity pole after informing him attempting sucide is a criminal offence under Nigerian laws.
“You know attempting to commit sucide is a criminal offence under our Constitution, so we are going to charge him to court.”
Nguruje stressed that it is the constitutional duty of the police to protect lives and property and that when any individual wants to take his life, such would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
Last Friday morning, being the market day of Mayo belwa, the young man allegedly climbed the 33kv high tension electricity pole along the Yola-Jalingo highway, insisting that he will not come down until the Nigerian President resigns from office.
It was gathered that the Adamawa Police Police Command had to engage the services of the locals in the area who finally convinced the man to come down on Saturday night.
Mohammed is from Gashaka town in Taraba State.
Many youths in Nigeria now consume hard drugs at an alarming rate. It has been said that many take solace in drugs to battle depression or deal with frustration caused by the biting economy.
Nigeria has not given the necessary priority to the issue of mental health as only those roaming the streets nakedly are considered to have a challenge with their mental health.
However, according to experts, the truth is that many appear sane and sound but are certifiable and should be held in well-equipped psychiatric hospital for a strict examination.
