Nigeria, June 26 -- Rabia Malami, 14, has never lived in a home with proper doors and windows. She dreams of a bed to call her own, an enclosed bathroom, and maybe even a bulb hanging from the ceiling. But more than anything, she wants her family to stop living under the constant threat of eviction.

For six years, Rabia and her family have lived in a crumbling building in the Giga community, Sokoto South. The house, abandoned for years, was offered to them temporarily when they fled violent bandit attacks in their hometown, Giyawa, in the Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Now, the owner is back-and he wants to sell.

"He comes every week," Rabia said. "Sometimes he brings men who check the building. They always start with t...