Five newborns arrived in a moment of rare joy — but hours later, tragedy struck as their mother passed away, leaving behind quintuplets and a grieving family in Kano.
A wave of grief has swept through families and residents in Kano following the heartbreaking death of Hafsat Yusuf, who passed away just hours after delivering quintuplets at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital.
Hafsat Yusuf had successfully given birth to five babies — three boys and two girls — on Wednesday afternoon in what initially appeared to be a moment of rare joy and celebration. However, the excitement quickly turned into sorrow when she died in the early hours of Thursday.
Her husband, Salisu Nafiu, confirmed the devastating development, stating that she passed away around 1 a.m., just hours after the successful delivery.
“She delivered the babies successfully in the afternoon, but we lost her in the early hours of today,” Nafiu said. “It is a painful loss for our family.”
Babies Stable Despite Mother’s Death
Despite the tragic loss, Nafiu disclosed that the five newborns are alive and receiving intensive medical attention at the hospital.
“The babies are stable and receiving proper care from the doctors,” he added.
Medical personnel at the facility confirmed that the newborns, delivered through a Caesarean section at about 2 p.m. on Wednesday, are under close monitoring to ensure their survival and healthy development.
A hospital source explained the level of care being provided.
“The babies are being given specialised attention to ensure their survival and healthy development,” the source said.
Ninth Childbirth Ends in Tragedy
According to the family, the quintuplets marked Hafsat Yusuf’s ninth childbirth — a remarkable milestone that turned into an emotionally overwhelming moment for her loved ones.
What should have been a celebration of new life instead became a painful loss, leaving behind grieving children, a widowed husband, and five fragile newborns fighting for survival.
Kano Government Steps In
Meanwhile, the Kano State Ministry of Health announced that the state government has taken responsibility for the medical care of the quintuplets.
“The government is committed to supporting the children and ensuring they receive the best possible healthcare services,” a statement from the ministry read.
The ministry added that the intervention aligns with the state’s broader commitment to strengthening maternal and child healthcare and reducing mortality rates across Kano.
Mixed Emotions as Residents React
The incident has sparked an outpouring of sympathy across Kano, with residents describing the development as both joyful and heartbreaking — the birth of five babies overshadowed by the painful loss of their mother.
For the grieving family, what began as a rare blessing has turned into a moment of profound sorrow — five newborns welcomed into the world, but without the mother who gave them life.
