Woman, Student Deliver Quintuplets In Katsina, Umuahia

Two women, a 35-year-old Hajara Shuaibu from Katsina State and a 24-year-old student, Oluomachi Nwojo, from Abia State have separately given birth to quintuplets.

While Hajara, who is from Doma Village of Tafoki ward, Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, delivered in her matrimonial home, Oluomachi gave birth at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Umuahia, the Abia State capital

It was gathered that after giving birth to some of the babies at home through the natural process, Hajara was rushed to Funtua General Hospital when her local birth attendants noticed that it was not a usual occurrence.

The father of Hajara, who hired the vehicle that took her to the hospital, said that from Funtua, they were referred to Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Katsina for more medical attention.

According to the father, this is Hajara’s twelfth delivery of babies, having had nine issues of single babies, two issues of twin babies, and lastly the quintuplets, adding that it was the first time as much as he knew in his family or in their village that a woman would deliver five babies at once.

Her husband, Shuaibu Hussein, now with the family in the hospital in Katsina, expressed mixed feelings over the delivery of quintuplets, who are three boys and two girls, saying; “I am grateful to God for giving me such gift.

“However, my fear now is the burden of their naming as well as the day-to-day care of the children, knowing that, as I am a poor farmer, the babies will require some special treatment”.

He called on the government, non-governmental organizations, and public-spirited individuals to assist him in taking care of the babies and their mother.

However, at the time of filing this report, it was still not clear the health status of the quintuplets, with conflicting signals coming from some unconfirmed sources.

On her part, Oluomachi, an undergraduate at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, delivered three (3) girls and two (2) boys, on the same day with Hajara.

It was gathered that she delivered through the caesarian section at about 8.24 am and the children were in stable condition.

According to the hospital source, which pleaded anonymity, the boys, who were still inborn during the visit “would soon be brought out to join their sisters” and mother who was in a deep sleep.

In their separate reactions, Oluomachi’s mother, Mrs Cecilia Nwojo, and her brother-in-law, Chigozie Nwoye, confirmed that twin birth runs in their respective families.

An elated Mrs Nwojo, who was seen feeding one of the girls, said; said; “Oluomachi herself and her elder sister are twins” even as she thanked God for the safe delivery.

Similarly, Chigozie, speaking on behalf of Oluomachi’s husband, Chinedum Nwoye, who was absent at the time, said he also has a set of twins.

Expressing gratitude to God for His faithfulness, the Nwoyes, indigenes of Anambra State, said they were ready for assistance from the government, good-spirited individuals, and organisations to take care of the children.