Banditry Crisis: Northern Nigeria Faces Rising IDP Numbers

The security challenges posed by banditry and terrorism in northern Nigeria have resulted in a dramatic rise in the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and camps, creating a substantial financial burden on state governments. States such as Benue, Borno, Niger, Zamfara, and Katsina report the highest numbers of displaced individuals, primarily women and children fleeing violence.

In Benue, there are 21 camps housing 219,477 displaced persons, according to the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA). The breakdown shows 9,708 males aged 0-4, 53,449 aged 5-17, and 28,488 aged 18-59, among others.

Additionally, a survey indicates over 1.1 million out-of-camp IDPs in Kaduna, exacerbating housing and service pressures. Zamfara State has 290,000 IDPs, with the government spending N7.3 billion on their upkeep.

An assessment by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) revealed that over 138,000 people were displaced in Katsina State due to insecurity and natural disasters between January 2025 and January 2026.