IDP woman delivered of quadruplets in Benue

A woman displaced by recent violence in Benue State has been delivered of a set of quadruplets.

The mother, identified as Shidoo Tortiv, hails from Ucha village in Gwer West Local Government Area (LGA).

She and her husband, Wilfred Tortiv, were forced to flee their home due to ongoing insecurity and have been taking shelter with relatives in Kula, a nearby community within the same council area.

The father of the new babies told our correspondent on Monday that at the time of delivery, the family was not residing in any of the state’s official IDP camps.

Tortiv said the birth took place at home around 6pm on Saturday, assisted by local midwives.

“There was no time to get to the hospital because she went into labour and delivered within an hour. Besides, we did not have the means to pay for hospital bills,” he told our correspondent on telephone.

He explained that this was his wife’s third delivery, disclosing that their first and second children are boys, while the new addition consists of two boys and two girls, making the family’s sudden expansion all the more challenging.

Tortiv added that following the delivery, Governor Hyacinth Alia had ordered the immediate transfer of the mother and her babies to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) in Makurdi for proper medical care.

“We’re at the teaching hospital now. My wife and the babies are doing fine,” the elated father added amid plea for further assistance from good spirited individuals.

“Since our displacement from home, we can’t even go to farm. So we will need help to cater for the children,” he said.

Chairman of Gwer West Local Government, Victor Ormin, confirmed the development in a WhatsApp message to our correspondent.

“I brought them down to Makurdi yesterday (Sunday) based on the directives of the Governor. She’s currently receiving care at the Teaching Hospital,” Ormin said.