I Accept My Children’s Deaths As Allah’s Will – Ex-Bauchi Deputy Gov

For Senator Baba Tela, Saturday, 4 July 2026, will remain etched in his memory as a day of unimaginable pain and grief. The former deputy governor of Bauchi State lost his two children, Mustapha Baba Tela and Ummi Baba Tela, in a tragic road crash, leaving the family in mourning. Although he has accepted their deaths as the will of Allah, the painful reality of losing two children at once, with three others still recovering, remains a difficult time for the family. In this report, KHALID IDRIS DOYA captures the sorrow, pain, and emotional weight of a tragedy that has left family, friends, and well-wishers grappling with the loss of two promising lives.

The fatal road crash that claimed the lives of the children of former Bauchi State deputy governor, Senator Baba Tela, Mustapha Baba Tela (son) and Ummi Baba Tela (daughter), occurred on Saturday, 4 July 2026, along the Bauchi-Azare road, about 20 kilometres from Bauchi metropolis near Tiamin Rice Company. The siblings were returning to Bauchi after attending a family wedding in Azare when the vehicle carrying them was involved in the tragic accident, abruptly turning what was meant to be a joyful journey into a moment of profound grief for the Tela family.

The tragedy, which cut short the siblings’ lives and plunged their loved ones into mourning, has continued to draw sympathy from friends, associates, and well-wishers. The sad news of their deaths spread widely, sending shockwaves across Bauchi and leaving many in grief, as family members, friends, and residents struggled to come to terms with the painful loss.

Amid the sorrow following the fatal accident, Senator Baba Tela said he had accepted the deaths of his son and daughter as the will of Allah, drawing strength from his faith as he came to terms with the painful reality of losing two children at once.

When our correspondent visited Senator Tela’s residence on Thursday, sympathisers continued to arrive to offer condolences and support to the bereaved family.

Speaking briefly, the former deputy governor, who appeared deeply emotional, said through tears that he had fully submitted to the will of Allah.

LEADERSHIP Weekend observed that members of the bereaved family were still overwhelmed by grief and unable to fully express the pain and emptiness caused by the unexpected loss of their loved ones.

“I have accepted the deaths of my two children as the total will of Allah. We all know it was destined to happen. We cannot question His will. If He wishes, He can take us all at once. Allah planned everything even before the earth was created. He gave them to us, and He has taken them back. Nobody can challenge His decision,” he said.

Senator Tela, who appeared emotionally exhausted, said his other children, who were involved in the crash, were still receiving treatment in the hospital. He prayed for their speedy recovery, adding that he was not in the right frame of mind to speak further until they regained their health.

LEADERSHIP Weekend reported that three victims remain hospitalised following the accident. They include two of Senator Tela’s children and the daughter of a former Bauchi governorship aspirant, Captain Bala Jibrin.

According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) RS12.1 Bauchi Sector Command, the crash occurred at about 4:30 p.m. on the Bauchi-Azare Road near Tiamin Rice Company.

The accident involved a Toyota Prado Jeep, registration number KTG 253 SM, driven by Auwalu Babatela.

The FRSC attributed the crash to a Sign Light Violation (SLV) and Dangerous Driving (DGD), and described the road as paved but rough. The Corps confirmed the incident as a fatal crash.

The Corps said six occupants, four adult males and two adult females, were involved in the accident. Four sustained injuries of varying severity, while two victims, a male and a female, died at the scene.

An official crash report, signed by SMI M. Mustapha, stated that both the injured and the deceased were evacuated to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, for medical treatment and confirmation of death.

A relative of the deceased, Abdulkadir Azare, said the victims, who were biological siblings, had attended the wedding of their maternal elder sister in Azare before setting out on the return journey to Bauchi.

According to him, their mother stayed behind after accompanying the bride to Gombe, while the children travelled separately. Tragically, the accident occurred less than 20 kilometres from Bauchi.

Also speaking was the chairperson of the Arewa Dignity and Advancement Initiative (ArDA), Hajiya Baheejah Mahmood Abdullahi, who is related to the victims’ mother. She prayed for Allah to forgive the deceased’s shortcomings and grant them Aljannatul Firdaus.

She urged the family to remain steadfast in their faith, saying that every event occurs according to the will of Allah.

“God does what He wills at the time He wills, and no one has the right to question Him,” she said.

The Police public relations officer (PPRO), SP Nafiu Habib, said the incident was reported through a family friend of the victims.

According to him, the accident was a lone fatal motor crash that occurred after Tiamin Rice Company along Maiduguri Road in Bauchi, involving a Toyota Jeep carrying members of the family of former Bauchi State deputy governor, Senator Baba Tela.

The PPRO explained that, according to the police report, the vehicle was travelling from Azare in the Katagum Local Government Area to Bauchi with six occupants when the driver was allegedly obstructed by an unidentified vehicle. The driver subsequently lost control, causing the vehicle to somersault and veer off the road.

He said all occupants sustained injuries of varying severity and were rushed to ATBUTH, Bauchi, for treatment. Two victims were later confirmed dead while receiving medical attention, while the remaining four were admitted.

According to the police spokesman, the surviving victims were later transferred to a hospital in Abuja for further medical care.

The deceased were buried in accordance with Islamic rites following funeral prayers, which were attended by the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu; the deputy governor, Mohammed Auwal Jatau; the former Bauchi State Governor, Muhammad Abdullahi Abubakar; the former Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Mahmood Yayale Ahmed; and other dignitaries.

In a condolence message, Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed described the incident as a heartbreaking tragedy that plunged Bauchi State into mourning.

The governor said the loss of the two young lives was not only devastating for Senator Tela’s family but also a painful loss to the entire state.

He urged the family to take solace in Allah’s decree and assured them of the prayers and support of the Bauchi State Government.

In a statement issued by his special adviser on media and publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, the governor also prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the accident.

Similarly, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the 2027 vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and former Kano State governor, expressed deep condolences to Senator Tela.

In a post on his X account, Kwankwaso described the incident as a heartbreaking tragedy that cast a shadow of grief over the Katagum Emirate and Bauchi State.

“I extend my deepest condolences to the former Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Baba Tela, on the tragic loss of his children, Mustapha and Ummi, in a fatal road accident.”

“This heartbreaking tragedy has brought profound shock and grief, not only to the family but also cast a heavy shadow of sorrow over the Katagum Emirate and the entire Bauchi State.”

“My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family, the government, and the good people of Bauchi State at this difficult time,” Kwankwaso said.

Senator Baba Tela served as Bauchi State’s deputy governor from 29 May 2019 to 29 May 2023, during Governor Bala Mohammed’s first tenure.