Banditry and climate shocks displace over 737,000 in Nigeria's North-West, IOM reports

Sharon Dimanche, the IOM Chief of Mission in Nigeria, shared this information during a press conference in Katsina. Katsina State alone accounts for 180,938 internally displaced persons IDPs, while neighboring Zamfara has 261,995. The IOM has also recorded almost 147,000 returnees across the North-West, including over 37,000 in Katsina.

Dimanche emphasized that while returns are occurring, they do not automatically constitute a durable solution, as returnees must be able to rebuild their lives safely and with dignity. She highlighted that insecurity remains the primary driver of displacement, though climate-related disasters are increasingly contributing to population movements. Between January 2025 and January 2026, over 138,000 people were displaced in Katsina, with nearly 72,000 displacements linked to floods, heavy rainfall, or windstorms, and almost 60,000 caused by armed banditry and kidnapping.

Dimanche stressed that displacement is a national issue affecting food production, livelihoods, education, basic services, local economies, social cohesion, and Nigeria’s overall stability. Jean Nahesi, IOM Head of Sub-Office, North-West and Programme Manager, Katsina, noted that 74% of assessed IDP locations require shelter and 89% reported inadequate sanitation fac