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A man who had just become a father says he nearly lost his freedom after a market collision that ended with a wheelbarrow pusher dying at the scene. Read Our Last Post: Patience Pays: How Dorathy Aloysius Waited Silently and Finally Received N300,000 Education Support”
The man, who gave his name as Victor Firdance, told reporters he had rushed to the market on the day his wife delivered their baby. Nurses had asked for an item that the family had not bought, and Victor said he wanted to get it quickly and return to the hospital.
Victor said he was driving slowly through the busy market when a wheelbarrow pusher, carrying a heavy load that hid his face, walked into the front of his car and left a scratch on the paint. Victor said he stopped and was about to confront the man when the pusher dropped his load and began shouting at him.
Witnesses quoted Victor as saying the man shouted insults while waving his hand and daring him to come down from the car. Victor said he paid attention to the newborn in the hospital and forced himself to stay in the vehicle. He said he waited for traffic to move before driving away.
A short time later, people in the market began shouting. The wheelbarrow pusher had tripped over a stone, fallen into a gutter and stopped moving. Bystanders ran to help. Victor said he remained at the scene because he feared that any fight with the pusher would have led to trouble with local youths and the police.
Local witnesses told reporters they tried to help the pusher, but it was clear he was not breathing. Emergency helpers arrived and confirmed the man had died. No name was given for the deceased at the time this report was filed.
Victor said he felt shocked and shaken after learning the man had died. He told neighbours that he had been close to stepping out of the car to argue, and that he feared a single blow or harsh word might have been blamed on him if the pusher had later been found injured. He said he believed staying calm had saved him from arrest.
Police were notified by members of the public, and officers attended the market soon after the collapse. A senior officer at the scene told reporters that the body had been taken to the local mortuary pending a post-mortem examination. The officer said a full inquiry would determine the cause of death and whether any criminal action would follow.
Market traders said the area was busy that day. Several witnesses gave different accounts of how the fall happened. Some said the man tripped over an exposed stone. Others said the heavy and awkward load had caused him to lose balance.
Victor said his new son and his wife were safe in the hospital. He told neighbours he had gone to buy a small item and that events moved faster than he could imagine. He said he planned to cooperate with investigators and to explain what he had seen.
The police spokesperson urged anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward and give a statement. The investigation will include witness interviews and the autopsy result. At the time of filing this report, no charges had been brought against Victor.
The incident is under formal police investigation. Local community leaders said they were saddened by the death and urged calm while the authorities carry out their enquiries.
