Bamenda was gripped by shock and confusion on Friday when local footballer Raisu Hadji, believed dead and prepared for burial, was dramatically announced alive only hours before his funeral.
Despite a lockdown in the city, hundreds gathered at the Mile 2 Masjid and Dawah Centre to follow updates on Raisu’s condition. The experienced midfielder, who has played for several clubs in Bamenda, had been battling a serious illness and was reported dead at the Mbingo Baptist Hospital on Thursday 18 September.
Family members settled his bills with the help of well-wishers, arrangements were concluded, and an ambulance was set to be dispatched to bring his body for burial in Islamic style.
But just hours before the funeral, Alhadji Yaya, a senior Muslim official at the Masjid and Dawah Centre, stunned mourners with an unexpected announcement.
“Yesterday we received the news from Mbingo Baptist Hospital that our brother had died and we made all the arrangements to bury him this morning. As we were preparing and had already set an ambulance to collect him, the doctors informed me that he was still alive. They said he had entered into a very long coma. When they checked again, they realised his heart was still beating. So I instructed that they continue his treatment, because life is in God’s hands. We continue to pray for him,” he said.
Hilltopvoices has obtained a document confirming that the hospital’s accounts department had cleared Raisu’s bills following the initial death declaration.
No official statement has yet been issued by the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services (CBCHS), but a hospital source maintained that Raisu never left the ward, contrary to public rumours that his body had already been moved for transportation.
Dr Nick Ngwayam, a medical doctor, told Hilltopvoices that strict procedures exist for certifying death:
“When the heart stops beating for over five minutes and does not respond to resuscitation efforts, the person is not breathing and the pupils are dilated, the patient can be declared dead.”
On the Raisu case, he added:
“I was not there and cannot be sure exactly what happened. He certainly had a cardiac arrest and hopefully with resuscitation he came back to life or someone declared him dead when he was not.”
Hadli Raisu
Known for his composure and experience in midfield, Raisu Hadji had featured for several clubs including PWD Bamenda, Bang Bullet, Bafmeng United, Hilltop Strikers, Rangers FC of Bafut and Dream Team FC Bamenda, where he was playing before his illness.
Tributes had already begun pouring in before Friday’s extraordinary twist. Now, fans and family are clinging to hope as he continues treatment in intensive care.
By Bakah Derick for Hilltopvoices Newsroom
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