Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A woman displaced by bandit attacks in Sokoto State has recounted how she gave birth while fleeing her community, describing the hardship and fear experienced by families forced to abandon their homes because of insecurity.
In a report attributed to Sahara Reporters, the woman said she went into labour while escaping from armed men, eventually delivering her baby by the roadside without access to the safety and medical assistance normally required during childbirth.
She also lamented the difficulty of caring for her newborn after the incident, saying she had no wrapper to cover the baby.
Her account highlights the severe consequences of bandit attacks on rural communities, where residents are often forced to flee at short notice, leaving behind their homes, farms and belongings.
For pregnant women, the danger is particularly acute. Sudden displacement can cut them off from hospitals, midwives, transportation and other essential services, leaving mothers and newborns exposed to additional risks.
The woman’s experience also reflects the broader challenges facing internally displaced families, many of whom struggle to secure food, shelter, clothing and healthcare after escaping violence.
Sokoto and neighbouring states in Nigeria’s North-West have continued to face attacks by armed groups, with repeated incidents forcing residents from their communities and disrupting farming and other economic activities.
In May 2026, The New Humanitarian reported on the particular burden of banditry on women in north-western Nigeria, documenting how insecurity and displacement have affected family life, livelihoods and maternal well-being.
The precise date and location of the woman’s reported childbirth, as well as the circumstances surrounding the alleged attack, could not be independently confirmed from the material available for this report.
Her account adds to calls for stronger protection of vulnerable communities and improved humanitarian assistance for people displaced by violence.
For families forced to flee, restoring security means more than ending attacks. It also means ensuring that displaced people can return home safely and that mothers and children have access to basic necessities and healthcare.
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