IOM Restores Peace in Nigeria's Banditry-Affected Regions

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is actively working to restore peace and livelihoods in Nigeria's North-west, particularly in Katsina and Zamfara States, through its Conflict Prevention, Crisis Response and Resilience (CPCRR) project. This initiative, funded by the European Union and jointly implemented with Mercy Corps and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), focuses on community engagement via peace committees, youth empowerment, and early-warning systems.

The project targets Local Government Areas such as Batsari, Dandume, Danmusa, Faskari, Jibia, Sabuwa, and Safana in Katsina, as well as Bungudu and Gusau in Zamfara. The IOM reports that 737,073 individuals have been displaced due to violence and natural disasters, with Katsina State alone housing 181,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and Zamfara State over 261,000.

Additionally, nearly 147,000 returnees are attempting to rebuild their lives. Sharon Dimanche, Chief of Mission for IOM Nigeria, emphasized the importance of sustainable interventions to address the root causes of displacement.