Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
In the remote Dawakawa village of Rabah Local Government Area in Sokoto State, the devastating human cost of banditry has left a young widow and her newborn twins in extreme hardship, highlighting a deepening humanitarian crisis unfolding across northern Nigeria. The tragic circumstances of Hauwa and her infants underscore the ripple effects of violence that claim lives, destroy livelihoods, and shatter families.
Late last year, Hauwa’s husband, Bala Gushi, was killed by armed bandits during an attack in their community. The loss plunged the family into insecurity and fear, leaving Hauwa — then pregnant — to confront unimaginable grief alone. Shortly after Bala’s death, she gave birth to twins, who are now about two months old. The infants, innocent victims of a crisis beyond their making, have yet to receive traditional names, a significant cultural milestone, because the family cannot afford the associated expenses.
Residents and neighbours describe the family’s current plight as dire. With the husband gone, Hauwa has no steady source of income or means to provide for her children’s basic needs. The family’s home offers little shelter from the elements, leaving them exposed to wind, rain and the harsh realities of rural life without adequate protection. Sources within Dawakawa say food is scarce and many of the family’s former support networks have dissolved, as ongoing insecurity has forced relatives and community members to flee their homes in search of safety.
“Everything changed when Bala was taken from us,” a village elder said. “Hauwa is now alone with these children. We all fear for our own lives, yet some of us try to help where we can. But many have left the village because bandits still roam around.”
Hauwa’s distress mirrors that of countless families in northern Nigeria, where banditry and armed conflicts have displaced tens of thousands of people, disrupted agriculture and trade, and left widows, orphans and vulnerable relatives without support. Often, victims endure protracted periods of hardship, lacking not only emotional support but also access to basic necessities like food, shelter, healthcare and education.
Humanitarian workers and local advocates say the situation in Sokoto and surrounding states reflects a broader emergency. “These are not isolated cases,” said a volunteer with a relief organisation operating in the region. “What we’re seeing in Dawakawa is repeated across many communities. Banditry has created a generation of families — especially women and children — who have lost breadwinners, homes and hope.”
The naming of a child, particularly in many northern Nigerian cultures, is an important ceremony that marks the baby’s identity and place within the community. It is traditionally conducted within a few days after birth and is often accompanied by communal celebration. Yet for families like Hauwa’s, even the basic necessities to sustain life are beyond reach, let alone the means to observe cultural rites.
“It pains us,” said another community member. “We want to help naming them, give these children their rightful place, but who will feed them? Who will buy milk, blankets, or even diapers? Money is not here anymore.”
Calls for compassionate support have begun to circulate among concerned citizens, community leaders and humanitarian networks. Donations are being sought to assist with the naming ceremony as well as urgent welfare needs — including food supplies, baby care items and basic household essentials. Advocates emphasise that such support, while not a solution to the structural crisis, represents an act of shared humanity and immediate relief for a struggling family.
“We are appealing to anyone who can help — individuals, organisations, groups — please reach out,” urged a local relief worker. “This is not about politics, this is about people, human beings who need help to survive.”
As insecurity persists, stories like Hauwa’s continue to emerge from villages disproportionately affected by armed banditry. Beyond immediate material needs, families also suffer long‑term economic losses, trauma and social fragmentation. Many displaced relatives have taken refuge in neighbouring communities or larger towns, further stretching limited resources and complicating efforts by humanitarian groups to deliver assistance.
Security experts have long warned that without comprehensive efforts to address the causes and impacts of banditry — including poverty, lack of education, unemployment and weak local governance — violence and displacement will continue to drive cycles of suffering.
For Hauwa, her newborn twins and many others like them, the path forward remains uncertain. With every passing day, the young family faces the harsh realities of life without the support of a father, husband or stable community network. Yet their story has ignited a plea for collective empathy — a reminder that in times of crisis, compassion and solidarity can offer a lifeline to the most vulnerable.
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