Tijjani Babangida opens up about the traumatic car accident that killed his brother and son in May 2024. The former Super Eagles star shares the emotional impact, how it’s affected his family and the long-term trauma he will carry forever.
Tijjani Babangida, former Super Eagles winger, has bravely shared his emotional journey following a devastating car accident in May 2024, which resulted in the loss of his family. In a moving documentary released by Ajax Amsterdam, his former club, Babangida recounts the tragic events of that day.
On May 9, Babangida was traveling with his younger brother, Ibrahim, his wife, son, and maid when a fatal accident occurred. Ibrahim died instantly, while Babangida’s one-year-old son, Fadil, succumbed to his injuries a few days later. His wife sustained severe facial injuries, losing an eye and requiring reconstructive surgery. The maid also suffered a broken leg.
Babangida, visibly shaken by the tragedy, shared his heartache in the documentary. He revealed that the trauma would haunt him for the rest of his life, and that he still struggles to look at photos or videos of his son. His wife, an actress in Nigeria, also faces profound emotional difficulty, as she cannot recall any memory of their child. Babangida expressed the challenge of dealing with the sudden loss of his entire family and reflected on the emotional toll it has taken on both him and his wife.
The ex-footballer, who spent seven years at Ajax, also spoke with fellow footballers, including Louis Van Gaal, during the documentary, which sheds light on his difficult path to healing.
