Tragedy At Birthday Party: Doctor Claims He was Prevented From Giving Life Saving CPR

Dr. Rasheed Olaniyi, a medical doctor and long-time friend of the late customs officer Kunle Akinyele, has revealed that he was obstructed from performing life-saving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) after Akinyele collapsed during a church event. The incident occurred in April during a celebration marking the 60th birthday of Akinyele’s wife.

In an interview with Punch, Olaniyi recounted the events leading to the tragedy. According to him, the late customs officer suddenly slumped in church during the event, prompting immediate concern and chaos among attendees.

“We were in church to celebrate his wife’s 60th birthday when he suddenly slumped,” Olaniyi said. “I am a medical doctor, so I immediately attempted CPR.”

However, his efforts to resuscitate Akinyele were cut short by panicked onlookers who misunderstood his actions. Olaniyi said the crowd, none of whom were medical professionals, interfered with his attempt to administer CPR, physically pulling him away and expressing concern that he might injure the victim.

“They kept shouting: ‘Don’t injure him, don’t injure him!’ I kept explaining that CPR sometimes involves breaking the ribs—if that is what it takes to bring someone back, then we do it. The ribs can heal later,” he explained. “They saw my efforts as harmful rather than life-saving, and they physically pushed me away. It was frustrating.”

Despite his attempts to identify himself and his credentials, Olaniyi said he was blocked by some young men in their 20s who didn’t understand the urgency or method of CPR. Two members of their social club reportedly shouted for him to be allowed to intervene, but their voices were drowned in the confusion.

Eventually, Akinyele was rushed to a hospital where Olaniyi joined the medical team to continue resuscitation efforts. Sadly, it was too late.

“If I had been allowed to do proper CPR right there inside the church, maybe we would have had a different outcome. God knows. I was right there the moment it happened,” he lamented.

Olaniyi also spoke on Akinyele’s medical background, stating that he was not asthmatic and only had mild hypertension. He speculated that the stress of preparing for the birthday celebration may have triggered the collapse. Akinyele’s driver reportedly noticed he looked cold and uncomfortable in the car before the incident and even poured water on his head and feet to try and revive him.

“If I had seen him at that point, I would never have let him return to the church. I would have taken him straight to a hospital,” Olaniyi said. “But that’s it. He was my friend for over 40 years. That’s a very long time.”

The incident has left Akinyele’s family devastated, especially his wife, who is reportedly too heartbroken to speak publicly about the loss.

Dr. Olaniyi concluded by urging Nigerians to take their health seriously, manage stress, and understand basic emergency response techniques like CPR. He emphasized that ignorance in such situations can cost lives.