Tragedy struck on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Kutunku in Gwagwalada, Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), when a man in his prime, Abdulrasheed Usman, collapsed and died while breaking his Ramadan fast.

The incident occurred when Usman was sharing a meal with three of his friends. The group had gathered in the evening to break their fast, as is the usual practice during the holy month of Ramadan, says an eyewitness, Suleiman Bala. The men were seated on a bench and eating fruits when Usman fell down.

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“We were all sitting and eating the meal together when he just fell off the bench,” said Bala, still trying to overcome the shock of the suddenness of the incident. “We thought at first he had fainted, but then it became clear something was terribly wrong.”

Despite the prompt movement by his friends, rushing him to a nearby hospital on a motorcycle, the doctor on duty confirmed Usman dead on arrival. Bala reported that Usman was in excellent condition earlier during the day. He had just arrived from a trip to Kaduna at about 5:47 PM and had hastened to join his friends at their usual meeting point to break their fast.

“One of his brothers told us he was okay when he came back from Kaduna. He was rushing to meet us, and then this happened. It’s hard to believe,” Bala explained, still struggling to accept the loss.

The sudden death of Usman has saddened and shocked the community. The cause of his death is not yet known since there is no medical report out as of Monday, March 3, 2025. Although some of the residents are speculating that he might have had some health problems, nothing has been said or given to support this speculation. The authorities are yet to comment on whether they will perform an autopsy to determine the actual cause of his death.

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The incident has put residents of the Kutunku community in low spirits, since Usman was well-liked and respected in his social circle. Ramadan, a sacred month for all Muslims worldwide, is a time for fasting, prayers, and sober reflection, and thus the untimely death of Usman makes it even more agonizing for those familiar with him.

The unexpected loss of life adds to growing concern about unexplained collapses in the area. Just weeks ago, on 19 February 2025, another man, 43-year-old Danjuma Abraham, died in his bathroom in the New Kutunku area. Doctors suggested Abraham could have collapsed and sustained deadly head wounds. Although the two incidents seem unrelated, they have raised questions about the high frequency of such instant deaths in the area, prompting locals to call for sharper scrutiny of potential health risks.

For now, the community mourns Abdulrasheed Usman, whose unexpected passing has dampened what should be a time of spiritual renewal and togetherness. Friends and relatives are struggling to understand the loss, and many are waiting to learn more as investigations continue.

The suddenness of this deadly crash is a stark reminder of the uncertainty of life, even during moments of ordinary ritual and camaraderie. As time passes, those who knew Usman can only reflect on his life, his friends, and the brutal death of a man who seemed so alive seconds before tragedy struck.

Further news on the incident is expected, but for now, the residents of Gwagwalada lament the loss of Abdulrasheed Usman, a man whose life was terminated prematurely.

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