In November, the spate of violence across Nigeria did not abate, sweeping through vulnerable communities and being responsible for at least 455 people killed – a 12.75% rise from October’s toll of 397. Nigeria’s perennial struggle with insecurity continues to be driven by governance gaps and deep-seated social inequalities. In ungoverned spaces, largely in the north of the country, nature abhors vacuums and allows for the violent contestation of those spaces by nonstate actors, especially radical groups. The fierce competition for resources and the weight of political exclusion also continue to fuel retaliatory attacks, underscoring the pressing need for inclusive governance and meaningful reforms geared towards social justice.
Casualty Overview
The North-West continued to be the most violent region, with Kebbi State recording at least 21 fatalities. In Augie Local Government Area (LGA), a newly emerged armed group, Lakurawa, killed at least 15 people and the rustled more than 100 heads of cattle in Mera community. This attack followed previous raids and escalated when a survivor identified some of the attackers as being from a specific ethnic group, resulting in the death of at least 6 more people.
In Southern Kaduna’s Pasakori community, farmers returning from the fields were caught off guard by an organized criminal band. By dusk, at least 20 had been killed, leaving the village in mourning. In another incident in Niger State, terror bandits descended on villagers in Wayam and Belu-Belu villages in Rafi LGA as Muslims gathered for their early prayers at dawn, on Wednesday 6, November 2024. At least 10 people were killed: among them women and children. The terror group also kidnapped no fewer than 12 people and burned houses and barns, hindering the harvest of over 50% of crops, including maize.
Zamfara State also continued its trend of violent attacks on vulnerable communities when a terror group stormed Magamin Diddi market in Maradun LGA, leading to the loss of at least 9 lives and injuring as many. Our data indicates this was the ninth attack that this LGA has experienced in the past 5 years. In Borno State, Chadian forces launched airstrikes on Tilma Island in Kukawa LGA, killing at least 10 Nigerian fishermen in a retaliatory strike aimed at bandits. This cross-border operation raises concerns about Nigeria’s sovereignty and the risks of uncoordinated military actions leading to civilian casualties.
In the North-Central region, Benue State’s Azege settlement in Logo LGA at least 13 people were killed, including women and children, in an early morning attack by herdsmen with the state recording its highest casualty numbers for the year in November. Other states that recorded mass atrocities fatalities include Ebonyi (5 deaths), Rivers (5), Nasarawa (3), Edo (2), Imo (2), Abia (2), Ogun (1), and Lagos (1), underscoring the widespread nature of insecurity.
Security Operations
In November, counter-terrorism operations intensified, resulting in a 110.4% surge in neutralized threats, with the North-West emerging as the primary battleground. The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) neutralized at least 70 insurgents in Borno State during strikes targeting ISWAP camps near Jibilarram in Marte LGA. The strikes were aimed at camps led by notorious commander Usman Russia. A notable attack by bandits on a military camp in Borno resulted in at least 20 soldier fatalities.
In Kaduna, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) neutralized at least 59 bandits ambushing their patrol in Shiroro LGA. In Katsina, the Community Watch Corps (CWC) repelled a terrorist attack on Gidan Baushe, neutralizing at least 16 insurgents. In Safana LGA, NAF airstrikes eliminated at least 15 terrorists northwest of Tsaskiya village.
In Imo State, Nigerian Army operations led to the deaths of at least 10 suspected IPOB and ESN militants in Orsu LGA, along the Ekeututu–Ihiteunansa Road.
Security forces also faced significant casualties, with a total of 62 military personnel lost, alongside 8 NSCDC officers, 3 police officers, and at least 11 nonstate community-formed security personnel popularly called vigilantes.
Abductions
Abduction continued to fester across Nigeria’s landscape in November, though with less intensity than the previous month before. Reported cases dropped to at least 199 from October’s 284. Was this decline a sign of improving security and vigilant communities, or merely a shift in bandit tactics and unreported tragedies?
Zamfara State bore the heaviest weight, with at least 151 abductions. In Wanke LGA, the villages of Sabon Layi and Dagon Hayi became ghost communities after terror bandits stormed them and captured at least 100 people, including the village’s chief imam. Along the Mariga-Kontagora road in Niger State, at least 20 travelers were abducted and whisked away into nearby forests.
On a positive note, in Katsina’s Jibia LGA, security forces intercepted a terror raid and rescued 16 kidnapped victims during an ambush. But elsewhere, in the quiet corners of Imo and Ogun States, more families mourned the uncertainty surrounding the release of their loved ones.
For some in Niger, ransom payments brought long-awaited reunions, but for others, the waiting continues. Their stories—intertwined with hope, fear, and grief—paint a stark reminder that even as numbers fall, the scars of abduction run deep in human souls.
Look Ahead
As the dry season sets in, terror bandit activities are expected to intensify, particularly in the North-West and North-Central regions, where agricultural produce is vulnerable to theft at harvest. Intercommunal conflicts over land and resources may also escalate the violence. Additionally, agitations against the ongoing tax reforms may heighten political violence in contested regions.
Recommendations
Strengthening community engagement: foster inclusive governance by involving local communities in security planning and early warning systems. This approach can reduce violence and build trust between civilians and security forces.
- Enhancing intelligence sharing: Increase collaboration between regional governments and security agencies to prevent cross-border attacks and ensure military operations respect national sovereignty and human rights.
- Address root causes: tackle socio-economic inequalities by promoting fair resource distribution, reducing political marginalization, and investing in local infrastructure to break cycles of violence.
- Increasing accountability: promote justice and accountability for violence perpetrators, including state actors, to deter future atrocities and reinforce respect for human rights.
- Improving security force training and equipment: equip security personnel with modern surveillance tools, protective gear, and advanced tactical training to enhance operational effectiveness and minimize casualties.
Nigeria could significantly address the core causes of mass atrocities and foster long-term stability and peace across affected regions by implementing these strategies.