Loading ...BY AHMAD SAKA
BAUCHI, NIGERIA — A devastating shadow of grief has fallen over Bauchi State following a horrific motor accident that claimed the lives of two young children of the state’s former Deputy Governor, Senator Baba Tela.
The victims, identified as Mustapha Baba Tela and his sister, Ummi Baba Tela, were killed instantly on Saturday, July 4, 2026, in a ghastly crash along the busy Bauchi–Azare highway while returning from a trip to Azare.
According to eyewitnesses and traffic reports, the impact of the crash caused fatal injuries to the siblings on the spot. Other occupants of the vehicle sustained varying degrees of injuries. The remains of the deceased were evacuated to a medical facility in Bauchi, where they were formally certified dead, while the surviving injured victims were rushed to the emergency unit for immediate medical attention.
A State Mourns: Funeral at the Emir’s Palace
In accordance with Islamic rites, the funeral prayers (Janazah) for Mustapha and Ummi were conducted on Sunday at the historic Bauchi Emir’s Palace.
The solemn ceremony attracted hundreds of Muslim worshippers, top government officials, community leaders, and sympathizers who turned out in large numbers to stand in solidarity with Senator Baba Tela and his grieving family during this unimaginable trial.
Governor Bala Mohammed Expresses Shock and Sadness
Reacting to the heartbreaking news, the Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, expressed profound shock and sadness, describing the sudden demise of the two promising young adults as a painful tragedy that has deeply impacted the entire state.
In an official condolence statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, the Governor extended the deep solidarity and prayers of the government and people of Bauchi State to the former Deputy Governor’s household.
“The loss of two young lives in such a tragic circumstance is not only a devastating blow to Senator Baba Tela and his immediate family but also a painful loss to the entire people of Bauchi State,” Governor Mohammed stated.
The Governor urged the bereaved family to take solace in the supreme will of Almighty Allah, reminding them that every soul shall return to its Creator at the appointed time. He assured the family that the thoughts and prayers of the entire state are with them during this dark hour.
Prayers for the Departed and Injured
Governor Mohammed further extended his heartfelt sympathies to the families of the other occupants affected by the crash, offering prayers for the speedy and full recovery of those currently receiving medical treatment.
“The Governor prays that the Almighty Allah (SWT) will grant the departed eternal rest in Aljannatul Firdaus and give their parents, family members, friends, and all those affected the strength, patience, and fortitude to bear this monumental loss,” the statement concluded.
