Over 737,000 Displaced in Nigeria's North-West, IOM Warns of Re-Displacement

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The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has disclosed that over 737,000 people are internally displaced in Nigeria's North-West, with banditry and kidnapping being the primary drivers of this crisis. Sharon Dimanche, the IOM Chief of Mission in Nigeria, spoke at a press conference in Katsina on Friday to address the humanitarian and security situation in the region.

Sharon Dimanche is the IOM Chief of Mission in Nigeria. She has been in this role since 2023, and her team has been working to address the displacement crisis in the North-West. The region is plagued by banditry and kidnapping, which has led to a significant number of people being displaced from their homes.

According to Sharon Dimanche, about 620,000 of the displaced persons were forced to flee due to armed banditry and kidnapping. The remaining 117,000 were displaced due to various other reasons, including climate-related disasters. In Katsina State alone, 180,938 people are internally displaced, while Zamfara State has 261,995 displaced persons.

The IOM Chief of Mission in Nigeria emphasized that the displacement of people is not just a regional issue but also a national one. It affects food production, livelihoods, education, and access to basic services. The crisis also impacts local economies and social cohesion, ultimately affecting Nigeria's wider stability and development.

Sharon Dimanche cautioned that the return of displaced persons should not be regarded as a durable solution. She stressed that returnees need to be able to rebuild their lives in safety and dignity. The IOM Chief of Mission urged stakeholders to view displacement beyond isolated categories of insecurity or climate disasters.

More than 138,000 people were displaced in Katsina between January 2025 and January 2026. Almost 72,000 of those displacements were linked to floods, heavy rainfall, or windstorms, while almost 60,000 were caused by armed banditry and kidnapping. The IOM has recorded almost 147,000 returnees across the North-West, including more than 37,000 in Katsina.

Sharon Dimanche described returning home without adequate security and basic services as a recipe for renewed displacement. She urged that communities need to feel safe and have access to basic services before returnees can rebuild their lives.

The IOM Chief of Mission in Nigeria highlighted the importance of peacebuilding and early warning systems in preventing conflicts from escalating into violence and displacement. She commended the Federal and state governments for their leadership and collaboration with IOM, as well as the European Union for its support through the Conflict Prevention, Crisis Response and Resilience Programme.

The programme is designed not only to respond to the consequences of instability but also to strengthen peacebuilding, early warning, and community resilience. Sharon Dimanche emphasized that the IOM will continue to work with stakeholders to address the displacement crisis in the North-West and find durable solutions for returnees.

What is happening in the North-West is not simply a regional issue. It is a national issue that affects food production, livelihoods, education, and access to basic services. Sharon Dimanche, IOM Chief of Mission in Nigeria

This story has a direct connection to Nigeria, given the significant impact of the displacement crisis on the country's stability and development. The North-West region is home to many of Nigeria's major cities, including Katsina and Sokoto, which are crucial for food production, trade, and industry. The displacement crisis has significant implications for Nigeria's overall economic performance, security, and social cohesion.