Missing Twins: Mystery deepens over child disappearances in Agbarho

Amid rising tension and fear in Agbarho, Delta State, a wave of child disappearances particularly involving twins, has triggered alarm among residents, especially mothers, who insist their children have gone missing under disturbing circumstances. 

In an interview with Olorogun Jago Egbo, Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Area, he confirmed that the situation had prompted a high-level inquiry. According to him, families of missing children were summoned, and five cases were initially investigated. However, he said some of those were later ruled out as non-criminal.

He explained that one of the cases involved a 17 year old girl who had eloped with her boyfriend. Another child, Success whose parents are divorced was taken by his father to Otokutu. Tega, a two year old, was reportedly taken from his mentally ill mother. Egbo also stated that a cart pusher found in possession of a child had been arrested, and all cart pushers have now been banned from operating in the area as a precaution.

At the centre of the unfolding mystery are the missing five year old twins, Divine and Delight Elijah. According to local accounts, the children were left in the care of a 15 year old girl where one of the twins was allegedly sent to buy sachet water and never returned. The circumstances remain unclear, but the incident has deepened local suspicions of a possible child abduction ring targeting vulnerable families.

Mothers in the community have been vocal about what they believe is a pattern, particularly involving twins or children from poor backgrounds. They insist such claims are not made lightly, stressing that no mother would falsely declare her child missing without cause.

Responding to criticism about police inaction, the chairman stated that law enforcement was not to blame. He revealed during the interview that a reward of N5 million has been offered by the local government for anyone with credible information that could lead to the recovery of the missing children.

“This is the first time we’re experiencing something like this,” Egbo said. “Every human life is particularly important to us.”

However, Egbo’s statements have raised further questions. Initially, he claimed that only two children had been confirmed missing. But later, he said that after meeting with the women leader in the community, three children were now officially unaccounted for: Tega, aged two; Moses Lucky, aged four; and Divine, one of the missing twins, taken just two days ago.

The inconsistencies in official accounts have only fueled growing public concern. Many in the community argue that the women raising these alarms have nothing to gain and everything to lose. In a society where child protection is a deeply emotional issue, the suggestion that such reports could be exaggerated has not gone down well.

With tension simmering and trust in official explanations wavering, residents of Agbarho continue to demand answers. As the search intensifies, many fear that what began as isolated disappearances may point to something far more troubling beneath the surface.