Why I Abandoned My Family - Father of three set of twins

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.”

Those were the words of Emeka Uche, who abandoned his wife and three sets of twins.

Uche, a factory worker who absconded in April, about a month before his wife, Ruth, gave birth to their last set of twins, told The Nation yesterday that his life has been “unbearable and miserable”

Uche who 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.

Immediately she collected the phone, she showered him with praises, calling him pet names and reminding him that she is still his wife and would never allow any evil to befall him.

“Please do not hang up the phone on me my heart. Just listen to what I have to say.

“I understand that things have not been easy but you should know that we have suffered alot. Please come back to me and your children.

“No one will arrest you because you are still my husband and I still love you. Anyone who arrests you will kill me first. Please talk to this aunt and also come so that we can go to Alausa together. They are all good people and mean well for us,” said Mrs Uche in a calm voice before returning the reporter’s phone to talk with her husband, who then opened up.