In a sad and unexpected turn of events, 52-year-old Salihu Byezhe passed away after collapsing during Subhi prayers at the Gudaba village mosque, located in the Kuje Area Council of Abuja. The incident, which occurred on the morning of Thursday, March 6, has left the local community in shock and mourning.
Byezhe, a well-known member of the Gudaba community, had arrived at the mosque early for the daily pre-dawn prayers after having partaken in Sahur, the pre-dawn meal that Muslims consume before the fast begins at sunrise during Ramadan. According to witnesses, everything appeared to be normal as Byezhe joined fellow worshippers for the Subhi prayer, a key part of the early morning religious ritual.
However, during the prayer, Byezhe suddenly collapsed, sending those around him into a state of panic. Eyewitnesses quickly came to his aid, rushing him to a nearby hospital in Kuje. Sadly, despite their best efforts, Byezhe was pronounced dead upon arrival, and medical personnel later confirmed that high blood pressure was the cause of death.
According to a medical general practitioner based in Abuja, high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a leading cause of sudden death, particularly when left untreated. “In many cases, people are unaware that they are suffering from high blood pressure, as the condition is often referred to as a ‘silent killer’ because there are few or no symptoms. Sudden incidents like this one can be triggered by the stress of physical activity, emotional shock, or even a sudden change in routine, as can happen during intense moments like religious prayers.”
It is important to note that Byezhe’s passing highlights the dangers of undiagnosed or poorly managed hypertension, which is prevalent in many African countries, including Nigeria. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported that high blood pressure is a growing health concern in sub-Saharan Africa, with millions of people suffering from it without even knowing. Lack of access to regular health checks, limited awareness of the condition, and lifestyle factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise, and stress contribute to the high rates of hypertension in the region.
