Man mysteriously dies after trying to break up night fight in Aweil East

AWEIL – A 20-year-old man has died under unclear circumstances after attempting to intervene in a late-night fight among youths during a traditional drumming gathering in Rup-Raandit village, Baac Payam, Northern Bahr El Ghazal, local authorities said.

The incident occurred on Monday night in Aweil East County, where young men had assembled for a night drum event — a common social activity in many rural communities. According to police, a disagreement broke out among several boys, quickly escalating into a physical fight.

Police Inspector Lual Lual Taac, the officer in charge of Baac Payam, described the incident as shocking and unexpected.

“What happened in Rum-Raandit village is that boys began fighting among themselves during the night drumming,” Taac explained. “The deceased, identified as Akuei Deng, aged 20, heard about the fight while at home and rushed to the scene intending to calm the situation.”

However, events took a sudden turn. Taac said the young man became involved in the chaos while trying to separate the fighters.

“He slapped one of the younger boys, believing he was part of the fight, but the boy’s brother intervened and told him the child was innocent,” the officer said. “Moments later, he suddenly collapsed and died. It left everyone confused about what exactly happened.”

Police have since detained seven boys who were involved in the altercation as investigations continue to determine the exact cause of death.

“We have detained seven individuals who were part of the fight,” Taac said. “Our goal is to establish what led to Akuei’s collapse and death and to prevent further tensions in the community. The boys are being questioned as part of the investigation.”

The sudden nature of the death has fueled speculation among residents. Some believe the young man may have suffered a heart attack due to extreme anger or stress during the confrontation, while others suspect possible sorcery or other unexplained causes.

Authorities, however, have urged the public to avoid speculation and allow investigators to complete their work.

Inspector Taac also advised residents, particularly young people, to limit unnecessary nighttime movements and avoid late-night gatherings that could lead to disputes.

“These incidents create fear and anxiety in the community,” he said. “We urge parents and youth to be cautious and prioritise safety at night.”

Police say a medical and legal assessment will determine the official cause of death, after which further action may be taken.