Woman escapes bandits’ attack to birth twins at Kaduna IDPs camp
Ahousewife Hadiza Suleiman from Dallatu, one of the villagers displaced by armed bandits in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, shared with Daily Trust Saturday her experience on how she gave birth to twins at the internally Displaced Camp along Kaduna- Zaria highway.
Hadiza, who was still weak and sick, described her experience as unpleasant because she went into labour on their way to the camp after being ordered by the bandits to leave.
Daily Trust reported last week Monday that Hadiza went into labour immediately they arrived the camp and was rushed to a traditional birth attendant’s home in Birnin Yero village where she was delivered of twins with the assistance of the local birth attendant named Ladi.
It was gathered that labour started on their way to the camp but they couldn’t stop or go back because there was confusion everywhere due to the threat by the bandits for the residents of the 16 villages to leave or be attacked.
The villagers trekked for three days to arrive at the camp last week Sunday.
Narrating her experience, Hadiza, also known as Dije, said “It was not a good experience because I was already nine months pregnant when we received the threat from those people (bandits) to leave our homes. So, we had to trek because almost everybody left at the same time.
“On our way, I started having contractions because I was already due but for fear of being attacked, we continued walking until we got to Birnin Yero. Immediately we got to the camp, the contractions became severe so I was rushed to a birth attendant where I gave birth,” she said.
Asked if it was her first experience, she said “No, it isn’t, though some of my children died in the past. It wasn’t easy but
I thank God I delivered the twins - a boy and girl, safely,” she said.
On how she was feeling, Hadiza said “As you can see, I’m still very weak. The woman said I needed blood and I’m yet to be given any drugs because my husband couldn’t afford it.
“We are about to return to our village not because the security situation has improved but because of my condition and as you know my husband doesn’t have any job here.
“My health is deteriorating daily; I’m still very weak and can’t even breastfeed the twins. The old woman that assisted me has done her best by keeping us for a few days even though my husband didn’t even give her any money.”
Asked what the twins were feeding on since she couldn’t breastfeed them, she replied, “Some people helped by giving us milk which is what we’ve been giving them. The twins are looking healthy but I’m very sick. I cannot explain how I’m feeling right now,” she said.
“I was not given any drug. I have not been to the hospital. My husband only asked us to get prepared to return home since he can’t afford to take me to the hospital.
The husband, Suleiman Bala, who solicited for assistance from good Samaritans, was concerned about his wife’s condition. He expressed worry that her condition has not improved since she put to bed a week ago.
“Honestly, since she gave birth, she has been sick and hasn’t taken any medication. She cannot breastfeed the twins, which is why we need help,” he said.
He said he would have loved to take her to the hospital if only he had money to do so, adding that throughout their stay in the camp, they did not benefit from any assistance despite their condition. He said the sharing process was not followed, making it difficult for the affected victims to get relief materials shared at the camp.