A man arrested for attempting suicide in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has been released on bail to his lawyer following a mental health assessment, according to police authorities.
The Explainer reports, that Yushau Shuaibu was arrested on July 8 after he was found atop a mast belonging to Aso Radio in the Katampe district of Nigeria’s capital city. The incident drew attention from onlookers and emergency responders before Shuaibu was safely brought down.
FCT Police Command Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, confirmed Shuaibu’s release in a statement issued on Friday.
“Mr. Shuaibu has been released on bail to his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, as of Thursday, this decision follows a thorough mental health assessment conducted by the FCT administration’s Social Development Secretariat,” Adeh stated.
The evaluation, which took place after Shuaibu’s arrest, aimed to determine his mental state and provide appropriate care. While the assessment concluded that Shuaibu is mentally stable, it did reveal some concerning symptoms.
“Although the assessment report indicated that he is mentally stable, symptoms of anxiety, persistent worry, and fears were observed in the course of profiling him,” the police statement noted.
Given these findings, the Social Development Secretariat has recommended ongoing support for Shuaibu.
Citing the primary reason for granting bail, Adeh explained,”The suspect should be allowed to report weekly in their office for further psycho-social care and support.”
The incident has sparked discussions about mental health awareness and suicide prevention in Nigeria. Suicide attempts are still criminalized in the country, a fact that mental health advocates argue can deter individuals from seeking help.
Deji Adeyanju, Shuaibu’s lawyer, spoke briefly to reporters following his client’s release.
Adeyanju said, “We’re grateful that the authorities have taken my client’s mental health into consideration, our focus now is on ensuring he receives the support and care he needs.”
As part of the bail conditions, Adeyanju is required to present Shuaibu to the police command whenever necessary. The lawyer assured that they would comply fully with these terms while prioritizing his client’s well-being.
