A 56-year-old Islamic cleric, Yahya Nafiu, from Ilorin in Kwara State, Nigeria, is asking for help after his wife, Latoyossi Alake, gave birth to 11 babies in a traditional home in Porto-Novo, Benin Republic. According to Nafiu, the babies were born in two groups, with the first group arriving on July 7, 2024, and the second on August 14, 2024. Sadly, two of the babies have died, leaving nine surviving newborns.

Latoyossi Alake, Nafiu’s third wife, is originally from Ajasse-Cotonou. Before this, she had two children with Nafiu. The cleric’s elder brother, Alhaji Zakariyau Nafiu, who is also the Imam of Iponrin, shared that they have already informed the Emir of Ilorin, Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, and other significant community figures about the extraordinary birth.

Yahya Nafiu confirmed that the 11 babies, consisting of eight boys and three girls, were born after a long pregnancy. He expressed deep concern about the financial difficulties his family is facing.

“We are struggling to raise money to take care of the babies, cover the medical bills, and complete other necessary expenses like marriage rites and a police report to bring the children home to Ilorin,” Nafiu explained during a phone interview with Punch on August 28.

The cleric is appealing to the federal and state governments, as well as to individuals, for financial support. He emphasized the urgency of the situation to avoid any further loss. The National President of the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union, Abdulmumini Abdulmalik, confirmed Nafiu’s background and his roots in the Onikeke Compound, Popo Giwa area of Ilorin.

The story has sparked numerous discussions on social media, with many people reacting to the rare occurrence of such a multiple birth. Questions about how the babies will be cared for and the family’s future have been at the center of the conversations online.