Tragedy has struck a young Nigerian family as Udeme Etuk Emmanuel lost his wife and newborn.
Mary, aged 23, died during childbirth, and both were buried together in Akwa Ibom.
A Nigerian man, Udeme Etuk Emmanuel, has been left heartbroken following the death of his 23-year-old wife, Mary, and their newborn baby, less than a year after their wedding.
The couple tied the knot on November 2, 2024, and were expecting their first child this year. However, reports revealed that Mary passed away a few days ago after childbirth, and their baby also did not survive.
Their remains were buried together on Thursday, November 6, 2025, in Okoyo Community, Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Family, friends, and community members have flooded social media with emotional tributes to the young woman, describing her death as deeply painful and untimely.
In a post shared on Facebook, Udeme expressed his grief, recalling that their first wedding anniversary was never supposed to end in tragedy. He wrote about the pain of seeing his wife “lying still” and not responding to her pet names, adding that he felt empty and broken. He also prayed for her to watch over their baby, who was laid to rest alongside her.
Cousin Ini Ekong also mourned the loss, saying it was heartbreaking to lose someone so young and full of promise. He said death was certain for all but should not come “in our prime or while trying to bring life into the world.” He prayed for Mary’s soul to rest in peace and sent his condolences to Udeme, describing the loss as one that left him weak and speechless.
The passing of Mary and her child has left the Okoyo community in mourning, with many describing the incident as a devastating reminder of the fragility of life.
