North-West Nigeria displacement: 620,000 flee banditry and kidnapping

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) reports that approximately 620,000 people—roughly 84 per cent of the 737,073 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in North-West Nigeria—have been forced from their homes by armed banditry and kidnapping.

In Katsina State, the drivers of displacement are split between insecurity and environmental factors. Between January 2025 and January 2026, nearly 72,000 people were displaced by climate-related shocks, including floods, heavy rainfall, and windstorms, while approximately 60,000 were displaced by banditry and kidnapping. IOM Chief of Mission Sharon Dimanche noted that these combined factors have led to lost livelihoods, disrupted education, and increased pressure on host communities.

Across the North-West, the IOM recorded nearly 147,000 returnees, including over 37,000 in Katsina. While the number of IDPs in assessed North-West and North-Central states declined by nearly five per cent between October 2025 and February 2026, officials warned that returning home does not guarantee safety or the ability to rebuild lives. The organization is currently working with the European Union to strengthen peace-building and community resilience in the region.