Twenty-six-year-old Chidera Daniels, originally from Arondizuogu in Imo State, Nigeria, and currently living in the United Kingdom, has shared her heartbreaking story about how her baby was taken from her at birth. She spoke with journalist and blogger Dr. Uche Nworah to raise awareness about her situation.
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Chidera became pregnant at the age of nineteen. She recalls, “My mother, who adopted me at birth, wanted me to put my child up for adoption while I was still pregnant.”
“I consented under duress because my adopted mother threatened that she would not pay my hospital bills and would also ask my siblings and everyone to cut me off. I felt I could not leave the hospital, even though the conditions were not ideal, because the bills had to be paid.”
After giving birth, Chidera was informed by her adopted mother, another woman, and a matron at the hospital in Enugu that the welfare process was being organized by an NGO in Enugu State.
“I went to the welfare office in Enugu to inform them that I did not want to proceed with the arrangement. To my dismay, the welfare office denied any knowledge of the situation, stating that they were not involved in any adoption process at that time. They showed me a copy of the original adoption documents, but it did not resemble the document I was forced to sign. The man I spoke with at the welfare office said that even if I had signed any documents, I had the right to reclaim my baby if I had a change of mind within two weeks. He asked if I thought it was a case of child trafficking, to which I responded that I did not believe my adopted mother would be involved in something like that,” she reveals.
Since that day, Chidera has been restless, constantly worrying about her child's whereabouts. “My adopted mother and the other women involved have refused to disclose any information despite my persistent inquiries over the years. I managed to find a nurse in the UK who was involved in this situation because she had traveled to Nigeria specifically for this matter. There are many details regarding her visit and everything that transpired,” Chidera explains.
For the past six years, Chidera has reached out to several organizations but has received little support. “I am desperate to find my son. I have been having nightmares about this injustice, constantly wondering where my son is, what he’s doing, whether he has eaten, and if he is well. Please help me if you can, with any information at my email address odera5005@gmail.com.”
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