Nigeria

23 September 2026

Armed violence in Kebbi State continues to escalate from localised farmer-herder tensions and cattle rustling into organised banditry, kidnapping, and communal clashes, intensified since 2024 by the emergence of armed groups like Lakurawa. Since 17 August, attacks across seven Local Government Areas (Bagudo, Danko Wasagu, Jega, Koko Besse, Sakaba, Shanga, and Yauri), affected over 16,600 people, killing at least 33, injuring 108, and displacing 7,700 people by 31 August. Violence also caused the destruction of an unknown number of homes, water infrastructure, and livelihoods. The displaced families are sheltering in host communities, informal settlements, or overcrowded public buildings like schools and health centres across the seven conflict-affected Local Government Areas, completely overwhelming local capacities. These overcrowded sites lack basic privacy and gender-sensitive WASH facilities. Children face severe psychological distress, educational disruption, and heightened risks of separation, exploitation, and abuse. The most critical needs remain tarpaulins and sleeping mats, food assistance via cash transfers, safe water and treatment, first aid and psychosocial support, and protection services. (IFRC 18/09/2026, IFRC 04/09/2026, Leadership NG 04/09/2026)

26 August 2026

On 13 August, severe flooding in Lafia city, Nasarawa State, displaced more than 300 people into host communities, destroyed homes, damaged businesses, and disrupted livelihoods. Immediate needs include shelter, food, NFIs, and psychosocial support. Livelihood losses and increased pressure on host communities may heighten competition over land, water, grazing areas, and income opportunities, potentially aggravating existing farmer-herder tensions. This is particularly relevant given farmer-herder clashes in Udege since April 2026 have killed at least 32 people and displaced over 200 by July. Flooding may also increase public health risks by contaminating water sources and overwhelming sanitation infrastructure. Nasarawa is among the states affected by Nigeria’s cholera outbreak, which had recorded more than 57,000 suspected cases and 357 deaths across 35 states by mid-August. Displacement into host communities could further strain WASH services and increase the risk of cholera transmission. (IFRC accessed 25/08/2026, UNICEF 14/08/2026, Daily Post 22/07/2026)

29 July 2026

Between 5–12 July 2026, the Borno cholera outbreak worsened sharply, with suspected cases rising from over 28,000 to more than 35,500 and deaths increasing from 143 to 198. The disease has spread further within Borno and into neighbouring Plateau state, straining health facilities. Overcrowding, poor sanitation, unsafe water, and limited healthcare access continue to drive transmission and heighten urgent health and WASH needs. (MSF 22/07/2026, IMC 06/07/2026, VON 28/07/2026)

08 July 2026

By 5 July 2026, the cholera outbreak, first reported in early May in Borno state, had surpassed 28,000 suspected cases and 143 deaths across 20 local government areas (LGAs). Suspected cases increased by 74% between 3 June and 5 July, with Maiduguri Metropolitan Council the worst-affected LGA reporting 11,166 cases. Poor sanitation conditions continue to drive transmission, increasing urgent medical supplies and WASH needs. (IMC 06/07/2026, AAH 25/06/2026, IMC 04/06/2026)

09 June 2026

Armed groups in Nigeria are deliberately targeting civilian gatherings, such as peace meetings, resulting in killings, abductions, education disruption, and heightened risks of child recruitment and early marriage. On 7 June, a non-state armed group in Zamfara state abducted 39 villagers during a reconciliation meeting with the group's leader, luring them under the guise of dialogue – a tactic increasingly used to target civilians. In February, a non-state armed group attacked Woro village, Kwara state, killing at least 170 residents after the community rejected its attempts to impose hardline religious rule; the attackers had been preaching in the village and sending warning letters to residents for months. The full humanitarian impact of individual incidents often remains unclear, but the pattern warrants close monitoring given its potential to erode community trust and reduce access to essential services. (Daily Trust 09/06/2026, AJ 04/02/2026, Truth Nigeria 18/05/2026)

22 April 2026

On 15 April 2026, an armed attack displaced more than 700 people, primarily women and children, in Gegeta community, Gabake ward, Kaura Namoda local government area, Zamfara state. The locations where the displaced have sought refuge remain unclear. Urgent needs include food, NFIs, WASH services, and shelter. This follows a similar attack in Zamfara on 12 April that killed 18 people, indicating a continued pattern of violence and displacement in northwestern Nigeria. (IOM 20/04/2026, Channels TV 12/04/2026)

07 April 2026

Security incidents increased by 27% between January–March 2026 compared to the same period in 2025 in northeastern Nigeria's BAY states (Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe), with humanitarian conditions worsening from escalating insecurity, violence, climate shocks, economic decline, and market disruptions linked to access constraints. Since January 2026, violence has killed or injured about 700 people and displaced over 12,000. The BAY states host over 900,000 IDPs, who are living in overcrowded and unsafe conditions, including frequent fire incidents. Facilities are overwhelmed, including an IOM transit centre hosting nearly 11,000 people, almost double its capacity, increasing the risk of diseases such as acute watery diarrhoea, cholera, and other communicable diseases. Food insecurity affects 4.8 million people at Crisis (IPC Phase 3) levels or worse, including over 600,000 facing Emergency (CH4), projected to worsen between June–September. Urgent needs include food, shelter kits, WASH, protection, and health services. (OCHA 03/04/2026, OCHA 17/03/2026, HumAngle 27/01/2026)