The festive season turned tragic in Kuchiyako village, Kuje Area Council, Abuja, when a man trying to stop a fight at a community Christmas party slumped and died.
The deceased, identified as 38-year-old Zacharia Moses, was attending a party at the community square on Saturday night when a heated altercation broke out over a missing phone.
According to eyewitness Danlami, the incident occurred around 9:33 p.m. when two young men began arguing after one accused the other of stealing his phone.
“They were at the party when one of the boys raised an alarm that his phone was removed from his pocket while dancing and he accused another boy of stealing it,” Danlami said.
Despite being searched, the accused was not found in possession of the phone, but the accusation escalated into a physical fight.
As the scuffle intensified, Moses stepped in to mediate between the two young men. However, what began as a valiant effort to restore peace took a fatal turn.
“He slumped suddenly,” Danlami recounted. “People around tried to revive him, but he didn’t make it.”
Efforts to save Moses were in vain. He was rushed to a hospital in Kuje, where medical personnel confirmed his death.
A relative of the deceased revealed that Moses was asthmatic. The relative expressed shock and sorrow over the incident, lamenting that his health condition may have been triggered by the stress of intervening in the fight.
The aftermath of the incident saw swift action from local vigilantes who detained the two young men involved in the fight. They were later handed over to security personnel for further questioning.
The body of the deceased was deposited at the hospital’s mortuary as investigations commenced.
FCT police spokesperson, SP Adeh Josephine, stated that she was still awaiting confirmation from the divisional police officer in the area at the time of reporting.
“I will contact the DPO in Kuje to get details on the case and provide updates,” she assured when contacted.
Kuchiyako village, a community known for its close-knit residents, had organized the Christmas party as a celebration to foster unity and joy among its people. However, the night’s tragic end left the community in mourning.
This incident highlights the risks faced by individuals who step in to mediate volatile situations. While Moses’s intentions were noble, his death underscores the importance of managing conflict resolution carefully, particularly in high-tension scenarios.
Medical professionals have often pointed out that stress can exacerbate asthma symptoms, sometimes leading to fatal outcomes.
Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the airways, and stress is one of the key triggers for severe attacks. Sudden emotional or physical stress can cause the airways to tighten, making it extremely difficult for the individual to breathe.
