Think of labor being slow, and then think again.
A 30-year-old Nigerian woman, Tawa Ahmed, told a large and credulous gathering at her church here Wednesday she had been pregnant for five years and then given birth on Monday to a one-kilo tortoise.
With the reptile snuggled up beside her, Ahmed told the crowd she had got pregnant five years ago in Lagos and returned to her parents' home here after she failed to give birth.
The pastor of the Rock of Ages Gospel Church, Olusegun Mayaki, said he had organized a 14-day religious event to ease Ahmed's labor pains and admitted to being "surprised" when she eventually gave birth to the tortoise.
With her husband said to be standing by her, Ahmed was asked by an AFP reporter to explain how it was she gave birth to a reptile but was ordered not to speak by the pastor, who said she was "tired".
Ondo State Specialist Hospital Doctor Fausat Aragbaye who was one of many visitors who came to check on the woman's condition said she doubted the story but advised it could perhaps be confirmed by a thorough medical examination.
Attenders at the church, where belief in miracle happenings is widespread, said a name had yet to be chosen for the tortoise -- ONDO (AFP)
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