They Said My Baby Was Dead, But I Saw Her Again”: Nigerian Woman Accuses Abuja Doctor of Trafficking Missing Twin

Abuja, Nigeria – A Nigerian mother, Eunice Bright, has come forward with shocking allegations that have sent ripples through the medical and legal communities. Bright claims that one of her twin babies, delivered on June 11, 2022, at Divine Rain Maternity Clinic in Abuja, was trafficked by her attending doctor, Timothy Zeje. According to her, the child—whom she was told had died at birth—was in fact handed over to the doctor’s wife.

Bright made the accusations public during an appearance on Arise News on Friday, where she gave a tearful and detailed account of the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of her child.

“The very day, 11th, in the month of June, 11th, 2022, we came, that is on Saturday. We came and they did another scan for me. And it still showed twins. We called the doctor, the doctor said he’s not around,” she narrated.

She further alleged that her delivery experience was anything but ordinary. Contrary to the standard procedure of administering a spinal injection for cesarean sections, Bright was given an injection in her shoulder. She said she lost consciousness shortly after and awoke to find only one baby beside her.

YOU MAY READ

Nigerian Hairdresser Sentenced to 5 Years in Ghana for Trafficking Young Women and Forcing Them into Prostitution

“My husband began to ask them, why? Where is the second one? They say, the doctor said the second one is one,” she recounted.

The couple’s request to see the remains of the allegedly deceased twin was reportedly denied. Hospital staff told them the baby’s body had “scattered beyond recognition,” and no visual confirmation was provided. Further deepening the mystery, the hospital later informed them that all records of her antenatal scans had been destroyed in a fire.

Feeling cheated and traumatized, Bright tried to move on with life until she had a startling encounter at Amak Hospital in Besa, where she had taken her surviving twin for immunization. There, she saw the wife of Dr. Timothy Zeje carrying two babies. One of the infants, she said, bore a striking resemblance to her missing child.

“When I saw her, I was so shocked. When I saw the baby in her hand, I said why did I look exactly like my own child and what is happening,” she said.

Confused and overwhelmed, Bright said she initially struggled to reconcile her suspicion with reality. Her husband was skeptical at first but pledged his support after she provided a complete account of her experience.

“I was confused. I don’t know which one is my own again. But my spirit keeps telling me that my child is still alive,” she insisted.

Despite her modest means and the emotional toll the ordeal has taken on her, Bright vowed to pursue justice and reclaim her missing child. She has called on the Nigerian authorities, human rights organizations, and well-meaning Nigerians to help her unravel the truth and hold those responsible accountable.

YOU MAY READ

Woman Drugs Nursing Mother, Steal 2-Month-Old Baby in Delta

The case has sparked public outrage, with Nigerians on social media expressing disbelief and anger over the alleged baby trafficking incident. Some users drew parallels with other unresolved cases of medical malpractice and child theft in the country.

As of the time of filing this report, neither Dr. Timothy Zeje nor representatives of Divine Rain Maternity Clinic have responded to the allegations. Repeated calls and messages sent to the hospital’s known contact numbers have gone unanswered.

Legal experts say the case, if proven, could lead to severe criminal charges, including child trafficking, conspiracy, medical malpractice, and obstruction of justice. “This is a matter of serious constitutional and human rights concern,” said Barrister Ijeoma Okafor, a child rights advocate based in Abuja. “The woman’s testimony should not be dismissed lightly. We need an independent investigation, including DNA tests.”

In the absence of direct access to the child allegedly seen with Dr. Zeje’s wife, Bright’s claim remains an allegation. However, she insists that DNA testing will vindicate her. “Just test us, and you’ll see,” she said.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has not yet released a formal statement on the matter, though sources inside the agency say an inquiry may be opened following public pressure.

The Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) have also remained silent, prompting civil society organizations to demand immediate oversight and disciplinary actions against any medical professionals found culpable.

In a country already grappling with multiple cases of missing children, organ trafficking, and under-regulated maternity clinics, Bright’s story underscores the urgent need for comprehensive healthcare reforms and better protection for maternal rights.

As calls for justice intensify, the public awaits a formal investigation and hopes that Eunice Bright’s quest for truth will not be buried under bureaucratic delays or intimidation tactics often used to silence whistleblowers.

Bright has also called for the preservation of CCTV footage, hospital staff rosters, and any other form of record that can aid in determining what transpired on that fateful day. “If they have nothing to hide, they should allow everything to come to light,” she said.

Several human rights lawyers have already expressed interest in taking up her case pro bono, as women’s rights groups, faith-based organizations, and diaspora advocates amplify her plea for justice.

Meanwhile, Nigerians continue to grapple with an unsettling question: How many more children have been declared dead, when in fact, they were stolen?

Until the questions are answered and justice is served, Eunice Bright’s story will stand as a haunting reminder of the deep cracks in Nigeria’s maternal healthcare system—and a mother’s unwavering fight for the truth.

This is a developing story.