‘Why I abandoned my family’ – Dad of 3 Sets Of Twins

The man who abandoned his wife and children upon news of expecting their third set of twins, Citizen Emeka Uche, (read here and here) has said he absconded in April (about a month before his wife, Ruth, gave birth to their last set of twins) due to frustration. He added that he is now scared of returning out of fear that he may be arrested.

According to The Nation he said, ‘I love my children,  I miss my wife too, but I am afraid to come back. People won’t understand how frustrating life has been. I am scared I would be arrested if I come out.”

Uche said things became rough for him after they had their first set of twins at Beesam in Mafoluku, Oshodi, lamenting that nothing changed even after their second set of twins was born.

At a point, he said he sent his family to the village in Abia State because he could no longer afford the rent at their Oshodi apartment. He said he squatted with friends and later brought back  his family when he secured a place in Agege where they currently live.

According to him, their situation kept degrading to the point that his kids would sleep without food, and at times,  drink only ‘pure water’.

“How do I watch my kids suffer? I could not tolerate it. I did not even have money to assist my family. I watched them suffer daily, without knowing what to do. There were nights I watched my children sleep without food. Some days I will buy N100 garri and akara (bean cake) for my family. Because of my low income, I was always in debt before the end of each month. I am a factory worker and I earn N33,000 after tax and union fees. Then I have four children and a wife to take care of, which has been very difficult,  I could not stand having a new set of twins that will come to this world to suffer. Initially, I thought it would be a child, probably a boy so that I would have two sons and three girls, but when I learnt it was twins again,  the only thing that came to my mind was to run away. It was not an easy decision and I have not been happy knowing that I abandoned them. My wife is a very good woman and I love her. I love my children too. I became frustrated when I called my brothers for assistance and they did not even answer me. I just dressed up that morning, I knew I won’t come back but I didn’t tell her so that she would not feel bad. I am pained that I have not seen my wife and children for three months, sister you won’t understand my situation, but know that it has not been easy for me,” he lamented on telephone, as he refused to disclose his location.

Initially, he was hesitant to talk to this reporter, all entreaties to make him open up failed, until the phone was handed over to his wife, who professed her love for him in Igbo and begged him to return home, assuring him that he won’t be arrested.

The telephone interview took place at a bank where Mrs Uche had gone to open an account after receiving N200,000 from Editor,  ThisDay,  Ijeoma Nwaogwugu. She had her three months old twins with her – Daniel at her back, and Daniella on her arms. As she looked at the baby in her arm,  she smiled as she murthered: “You are a blessing to my family. What would have happened if I had aborted you? I would have just continued suffering with your brother and sisters and father.”

Mrs Uche,  a secondary school graduate said the only difference between her and the biblical Job was that she did not lose her children, but she is now full of hope.

She said she is now looking for another accommodation,  after which she would start up a business, like selling foodstuffs.

Her second set of twins has been offered scholarship by the Voice of Divine Truth International Outreach,  a ministry, which also promised to sponsor the four-year old twins up to university or Masters level.