Ondo launches investigation after mother's death following delivery of five babies

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has initiated a thorough probe into the tragic demise of 45-year-old Mary Yaduyan, who succumbed to complications just hours after delivering quintuplets in Akure.

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Yaduyan's life was cut short at Netcare Multispeciality Hospital, where she had given birth to five baby boys via caesarean section, with medical experts citing a pulmonary embolism as the cause of death.

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In a gesture of support, the Ondo State Government has pledged a donation of ₦2 million to aid in the care of the newborns, who are currently undergoing treatment at the hospital.

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Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Seun Osamaye, represented Governor Aiyedatiwa during a visit to the facility on Saturday, conveying the administration's sorrow over the incident.

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Osamaye stated that the governor is deeply saddened by the unfortunate event, and reiterated the administration's commitment to protecting the lives of pregnant women and ensuring the quintuplets receive proper care.

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The ₦2 million donation serves as an immediate intervention, providing urgent relief for the quintuplets, with officials confirming that longer-term plans are being considered, including a potential transfer to a specialized facility once the babies are stable.

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Osamaye emphasized the need to address systemic gaps in maternal care, stressing that the tragedy underscores the importance of proactive interventions in high-risk pregnancies.

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She further highlighted the necessity of stricter monitoring and timely referrals in complicated cases requiring advanced specialist care, in order to prevent similar tragedies.

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Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Ministry of Health, Adiji Ojohe, confirmed that a formal investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding Yaduyan's death.

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Ojohe stated that the Ministry of Health has initiated the necessary machinery to investigate the incident, and assured that accountability measures will follow the findings to enhance maternal healthcare delivery and prevent future occurrences.

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The incident has brought renewed attention to maternal health challenges in Nigeria, particularly the risks associated with high-risk pregnancies and the need for strengthened emergency response systems in healthcare facilities.

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In a separate incident earlier in April 2026, the Ondo State Police Command arrested two women, Elizabeth Aremu and Blessing Effiong, who allegedly posed as midwives, in connection with the deaths of two women and their newborn babies at separate health facilities in the state.

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A similar tragedy occurred in March 2026, when a Kano State woman, Hafsatu Yusuf, who had given birth to quintuplets at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, also lost her life.