A 19-year-old man, Ibrahim Abubakar from Adamawa State, has been arraigned by the Kano State Police Command for attempted suicide after scaling a tall billboard in Kano and threatening to jump. The incident occurred on Monday at Gadar Lado along Zaria Road, where Abubakar reportedly insisted that he would take his own life if popular TikTok influencers he admired did not appear at the scene.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, confirmed in a statement on Friday that Abubakar was formally charged before Magistrate Court No. 5, Gyadi-Gyadi, Kano. “The suspect was rescued by security operatives and subsequently arraigned on a charge of attempted suicide,” SP Kiyawa said.
According to earlier reports from the police, the young man was on the billboard for an extended period, prompting immediate rescue efforts by security personnel. He was taken to a hospital for medical evaluation and provided with food after enduring several hours atop the structure.
The event drew a large crowd and reignited conversations around the mental health challenges facing Nigerian youths, particularly issues related to social media addiction and the impact of online fame. Observers have raised concerns about how platforms like TikTok influence vulnerable individuals and the need for increased awareness and support for mental wellness.
The court is set to continue hearing the case in the coming days as the community and authorities reflect on the underlying causes of such incidents.
