Benue Shock: Newborn Twins Dumped in Bush Rescued During Sanitation Exercise in Vandeikya

A routine sanitation exercise in Vandeikya Local Government Area of Benue State turned into a heartbreaking rescue operation on Friday after newborn twins were discovered abandoned in a bush in Mbaaji, Ningev Council Ward.

The Benue newborn twins abandonment incident has triggered outrage across the community after local task force members stumbled on the infants while clearing refuse in an area popularly known as Wangbeen Jor. The babies were found wrapped in fresh leaves, with traces of a placenta and a gown believed to belong to their mother nearby.

Chairman of the Local Government Task Force, Chief Daniel Orhembega, said the discovery was made after a faint cry alerted the team to the scene. He described how the rescue unfolded during what was meant to be a routine environmental exercise.

“One of our men heard a baby crying,” he said. “When we followed the sound, we saw the twins wrapped in fresh leaves, with the placenta and a gown believed to belong to the mother.”

Eyewitnesses said one of the newborns was crying continuously while the other appeared calm, raising immediate concerns that they may have been abandoned shortly after delivery.

The twins were quickly evacuated to a nearby health facility, where medical personnel provided urgent care. Their condition has since been stabilised, according to local officials overseeing the response.

Vandeikya Local Government Chairman, Hon. Dennis Terkura Guda, visited the hospital shortly after the rescue and condemned the incident, describing it as deeply disturbing and unacceptable.

During his visit, Guda assumed responsibility for the children’s welfare and named them Guda-Alia (male) and Alia-Doo (female), symbolising official custody and care under the local government.

The babies have now been placed under the supervision of the Local Government Welfare Department, which will oversee their medical treatment and protection in the coming days.

Authorities have also launched efforts to identify the mother, with the council appealing to residents for any information that could assist ongoing investigations. Officials say locating those responsible remains a priority as inquiries continue.

The incident has renewed concerns over child abandonment cases in rural communities, with local leaders urging stronger social support systems and community vigilance to prevent similar tragedies.