Former Nigerian football star and President of the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria, Tijani Babangida, was involved in a devastating car accident on Thursday that claimed the life of his younger brother, Ibrahim Babangida.
According to The PUNCH, a statement by Emmanuel Babayaro, General Secretary of PFAN and a former teammate of Tijani, the accident occurred along the Kaduna-Zaria Road, resulting in the tragic death of 47-year-old Ibrahim.
Tijani, his family, and his wife were taken to the hospital for treatment, with Tijani reportedly conscious and receiving medical attention at Shika Hospital in Zaria.
The statement reads, “Comrades! Let us be in prayers for our president, Tijani Babangida, who just had a ghastly motor accident along the Kaduna-Zaria Eoad.
“Ibrahim Babangida, his younger brother, died on the spot from the accident while Mr President (Babangida) and his family were taken to the hospital.
“May the soul of Ibrahim Babangida Rest In Peace with God, amen,” he announced.
Ibrahim, a retired footballer himself, was a member of the 1993 FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning Golden Eagles squad and had played for several local and international teams, including Bank of The North, Stationery Stores, Katsina United, and Dutch side Volendam.
The football community has been left in shock and mourning, with condolences pouring in for Tijani and his family.
The cause of the accident is yet to be determined, but it serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment with loved ones. May Ibrahim’s soul rest in peace.
Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games gold medallist and President of the Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria, Tijani Babangida, was on Thursday involved in a car accident that claimed the life of his younger brother Ibrahim Babangida, The PUNCH has learnt.
Former teammate, Emmanuel Babayaro, the General Secretary, PFAN, announced the incident in a statement.
Though the details of the accident remained sketchy as of the time of filing this report, our correspondent learnt that the accident happened along the Kaduna-Zaria Road.
“Comrades! Let us be in prayers for our president, Tijani Babangida, who just had a ghastly motor accident along the Kaduna-Zaria Eoad.
“Ibrahim Babangida, his younger brother, died on the spot from the accident while Mr President (Babangida) and his family were taken to the hospital.
“May the soul of Ibrahim Babangida Rest In Peace with God, amen,” he announced.
When our correspondent reached out to Babayaro, he confirmed the incident.
“Yes, it is true. The accident happened while they were on their way to Zaria from Kaduna,” he said.
“His brother Babangida died on the spot from the accident. The accident happened today (Thursday) this afternoon and his wife was also involved in the accident.
“He is currently admitted at Shika Hospital in Zaria, where he is receiving treatment and to the glory of God he is conscious,” he added.
The late Ibrahim, 47, a retired footballer himself, was a member of the 1993 FIFA U-17 World Cup-winning Golden Eagles squad in Japan.
He featured for local sides Bank of The North, Stationery Stores and Katsina United on the domestic scene before joining Dutch side Volendam in 1997.
