“I’ll Live With This Trauma All My Life” — Tijjani Babangida Opens Up on Losing Family in Tragic Car Accident

Former Super Eagles winger Tijjani Babangida has shared his heartbreaking experience of losing his family in a car accident earlier this year.

The tragic incident occurred on May 9, 2024, along the Kaduna-Zaria highway while Babangida was traveling with his younger brother Ibrahim, his wife, their one-year-old son Fadil, and a maid. The accident claimed the lives of Ibrahim, who died on the spot, and Fadil, who succumbed to his injuries days later. Babangida’s wife suffered severe injuries, losing an eye and undergoing facial reconstruction surgery, while the maid fractured a leg.

In an emotional documentary released by Ajax Amsterdam, his former club, on Thursday, Babangida opened up about the immense pain and lasting trauma caused by the accident.

“I think I will live with this trauma for the rest of my life,” Babangida said. “It is hard to forget and move on when you suddenly lose your entire family. This is my first time talking about the accident because it has been too painful to even acknowledge.”

The former footballer revealed that he struggles to look at photos and videos of his late son, while his wife, a well-known actress in northern Nigeria, has no memory of their child.

“It is even harder for my wife. We were married for just a year before we had our baby. And suddenly, he was gone,” he said. “I had to tell her about his death three months after the accident. Even now, she asks about his name because she can’t remember anything about him.”

Babangida also spoke about the physical injuries he sustained in the crash, which left him with damage to his legs and knees. Despite his pain, he focused on supporting his wife during her treatment.

Reflecting on the accident and its aftermath, Babangida expressed the difficulty of moving forward. “It’s something I’ll live with for the rest of my life,” he reiterated.

The documentary highlights Babangida’s journey of grief and resilience as he continues to rebuild his life while honoring the memory of his lost loved ones.