How My Twin Was Stolen at Birth by a Doctor — Abuja Housewife Cries Out

A heartbreaking story of alleged medical misconduct is unfolding in Abuja, where 32-year-old housewife Eunice Bright Ekwok has accused a private doctor of stealing one of her twin babies at birth in 2021. Mrs. Ekwok claims that she was told during antenatal care at Divine Rain Maternity Clinic that she was pregnant with twins but was later handed only one baby after a caesarean section delivery.

According to Mrs. Ekwok, her request for a copy of the scan confirming her twin pregnancy was denied by the doctor, Timothy Zeje, who insisted that hospital policy did not permit releasing scan results. Despite concerns from her husband, Bartholomew Bright Ekwok, the couple chose to trust the medical staff.

On the day of delivery, Mrs. Ekwok was unconscious during the C-section. When she awoke, only one baby was presented to her. She was told the second twin had died and “scattered” during birth. Her request to see the remains was denied. The couple’s suspicions deepened when the hospital later claimed her medical file had been destroyed in a fire, despite other files still being visibly stored at the clinic.

The mystery took a dramatic turn during a routine immunization visit at AMAC Hospital in Abuja. Mrs. Ekwok said she spotted a child with the wife of Dr. Zeje who bore a striking resemblance to her own baby, including identical dreadlocked hair. The similarities were so uncanny that she could not distinguish between the two children except by their clothing.

Instead of confronting the woman at the clinic, Mrs. Ekwok and her husband devised a strategy to gain access to the family’s home. Posing as a struggling mother selling clothes, she began frequent visits to observe the child more closely. Convinced that the child was the twin she was told had died, the Ekwoks began to press for answers.

Their quest for the truth has come at a cost. The couple has been arrested, detained, and even imprisoned on accusations of attempted child theft. Despite these setbacks, they continue to demand a DNA test to establish the child’s biological origins. However, their efforts have reportedly been blocked by authorities, allegedly influenced by the doctor and his wife. The police have yet to approve a DNA test and instead have focused on prosecuting the Ekwoks.

Dr. Zeje declined to speak in detail, stating only that the matter was already with the police and in court. He directed further inquiries to the Force Intelligence Department in Abuja.

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), when contacted, said it had not received a formal complaint on the matter. Dr. Bature Mannir, spokesperson of the NMA Abuja branch, acknowledged hearing about the issue but had not confirmed any internal investigation as of the time of this report.

The case has sparked outrage among civil society, especially from groups based in Cross River State, where Mr. Ekwok hails from. Think Cross River, a regional advocacy group, has vowed to pursue justice. Its initiator, Papa Dom Cklamz Enamhe, said the community and state leadership are united in seeking the child’s return and will ensure a DNA test is conducted.

“No child of Cross River extraction will be taken anywhere,” Enamhe said. “We will go to court. We will do the right things. We will afford the DNA test. Our child will return to the family.”

As the legal battle continues, the Ekwoks are urging the public and government authorities to intervene and help bring clarity to a case that has kept them in emotional and legal limbo for nearly three years.