Widow of late Kano athlete gives birth to baby boy days after tragic crash

The widow of one of the victims of the tragic auto crash that claimed the lives of 22 Kano athletes has given birth to a baby boy just six days after losing her husband.

The child was born on Friday, coinciding with the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, offering a bittersweet moment of hope amid the family’s overwhelming grief.

The baby’s father, Abubakar Isma’il, was among the 22 members of the Kano State contingent who died in a ghastly road accident while returning from the National Sports Festival held in Ogun State. Isma’il, a dedicated member of the medical team accompanying the athletes, had been committed to ensuring the well-being of the team before the fatal incident cut his life short.

Speaking through tears, his wife, Ummi, described her husband’s death as a traumatic experience she is still struggling to comprehend. She recalled that she was in the kitchen preparing a meal when the heartbreaking news reached her.

“Everything crumbled in that moment,” she said. “Family members rushed to the accident scene, but they were denied access to the bodies. We had to wait at the General Hospital where the remains were eventually brought. I wept uncontrollably.”

Given her advanced stage of pregnancy and the emotional strain, her family quickly arranged for her to be admitted to a private hospital for close medical supervision. On Friday, she safely delivered a healthy baby boy.

In a touching tribute to his late father, the newborn has been named Abubakar.

The story of Abubakar Jr.’s birth amid tragedy has gone viral with many Nigerians, with sympathies and prayers pouring in across social media for the young widow and her newborn son.