By OBSERVERS TIMES
A Nigerian medical doctor, Rasheed Olaniyi, has revealed that he was obstructed from saving the life of Kunle Akinyele, a former customs officer who tragically passed away during his wife’s 60th birthday celebration in April.
In an interview with Punch, Olaniyi, a long-time friend of Akinyele, recounted the chaotic moments that unfolded when Akinyele suddenly collapsed at the event held in a church.
“As soon as he slumped, I immediately attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR),” Olaniyi stated. “Unfortunately, the situation became chaotic, and he was rushed away before I could administer it properly.”
Despite his efforts to explain his medical credentials to the crowd, Olaniyi faced resistance from onlookers who were not familiar with CPR. “They kept shouting, ‘Don’t injure him, don’t injure him!’” he recalled. “I tried to explain that CPR can sometimes involve breaking ribs if that’s what it takes to save a life, but they saw my actions as harmful and physically pushed me away. It was incredibly frustrating.”
After being taken to a nearby hospital, Olaniyi joined the medical team in continuing CPR efforts, but it was too late to save Akinyele’s life. “The doctors confirmed that proper CPR could have made a difference,” he said. “He wasn’t asthmatic and only had slight hypertension. The stress from the party preparations might have contributed to his condition.”
Olaniyi expressed deep sorrow over the incident, noting that Akinyele was a close friend for over 40 years. “His wife is heartbroken and unable to speak about it right now, but I know everything that happened,” he added.
Reflecting on the tragedy, Olaniyi urged Nigerians to manage stress and maintain a healthy diet, warning that neglecting these factors could lead to serious health complications.
