From indication of the month of May, 2023, conflict report, it was observed that conflict has drastically increased compared to the previous month. The increases in violence in Nigeria, has also led to an increase in the total number of deaths in the country. The various conflict issues that were reported with the accomplishment of different news sources and the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) are; Kidnapping, armed clashes and attacks, the issue of the farmer-herder conflict, cultism and robbery, protests and riots. This will be explained in details below.
Though, it was observed that about 461 people were killed including security personnel and a total number of 167 were abducted across the country. Given a clear observation of all the incidents that were reported, the level of armed clash (battles) between security personnel (communal militias) and the members of the Islamic State West Africa (ISWAP) were higher compared to other violence cases recorded. And also, with an existing threat, is the issue of the farmer-herder conflict in North-central, Nigeria.
Fig 1: The number of deaths across all the regions in Nigeria
| S/N | Regions | Frequency | Percentage |
| 1 | North west | 69 | 15% |
| 2 | North central | 191 | 41.4% |
| 3 | North east | 106 | 23% |
| 4 | South west | 24 | 5% |
| 5 | South east | 48 | 10.4% |
| 6 | South-south | 23 | 5% |
| TOTAL | 461 | 100 |
The table above explains the total number of fatalities recorded and its percentage as a result of violence across the six regions in Nigeria. In the North-west, a total of 69 (15%) deaths was recorded, 191(41.4%) in the North-central, 106 (23%) in the North-east, 24 (5%) in the South-west, 48 (10.4%) in the South-east and a total of 23 (5%) in the South-south. In other words, the table reveals that North-central region reported the highest level of fatalities (deaths) in May 2023.
Reports of Violence Incidences in Nigeria
The following are the reported cases of violence incidences in the different geopolitical zones in Nigeria in the month of May.
Kidnapping/Banditry
In Nigeria, the issue of kidnapping is now seen as an everyday activity as civilians are being abducted on a daily basis. In the reporting month, it was observed that the rate of kidnapping and banditry has increased in almost all the regions in Nigeria. With the North-west region having the highest number of more than 97 (58%) victims followed by the North-central region which had had a total of 51 (31%) victims, whereas, the other four regions comprise of about 27%.
Fig 2: Table showing the percentage of the rate of Kidnapping/Banditry incidences in the Regions
| S/N | Regions | Frequency | Percentage |
| 1 | North west | 97 | 58% |
| 2 | North central | 51 | 30.5% |
| 3 | North east | 6 | 3.5% |
| 4 | South west | 3 | 1.7% |
| 5 | South east | 6 | 3.5% |
| 6 | South-south | 4 | 2.3% |
| TOTAL | 167 | 100 |
The table above shows the number of persons kidnapped and its percentage rate in each of the regions in Nigeria. From observation, It was reported that North-west has the highest of people that were kidnapped in the last month, having a total of about 97 (58%), followed by North-central with a total of 51 (30.5%), about 6 (3.5%) in the North-east, 3 (1.7%) in the south west, 6 (3.5%) in the South-east and a total of 4 (2.4%) in the South-south which has the least number of people kidnapped in the month of May, 2023.
Proscribed armed groups and other attacks
As indicated in this month’s conflict report, proscribed armed groups (clashes) between military personnel and members of the Islamic State West Africa (ISWAP) were reported to be highest level of conflict that took place. In all the regions, there was some form of clashes and attack that was recorded. From indication, Borno state, North-central had the highest level of armed clash encountered, with so many reported incidences of the Military personnel in battle with the members of the Islamic State West Africa (ISWAP). This is followed by attacks in the North-central between Fulani ethnic militia and civilians, then attacks between the Indigenous People of Biafra and civilians in the South-east, and then attacks in the South-west and South-south.
Farmer-Herder Conflict
The issue of the farmer-herder conflict has always been known to be a very crucial issue that needs to be addressed and proffer immediate solution to especially in the North-central part of Nigeria. But it is important to note that, there tends to be a decrease in the issue of herdsmen conflict in the region and beyond in the reporting month. Most importantly is the reduction in death rate caused by the conflict in Nigeria.
Cultism and Robbery
Unfortunately, the violent conflicts have spiralled Nigeria. Contrary to the commonly held notion that the only major issue of note is in the North-East of the country, all six geo-political zones are currently affected by at least one security-related challenge. The South-south region as always known is affected by communal, cult and oil-related conflicts. Nevertheless, with indication, there is a substantial decrease in clashes between cultist groups in the South-south and South-west region.
Protest and Riots
In general, it was reported that the level of protest and mob riots have reduced almost completely in May 2023, compared to the previous months. This is to say the just concluded 2023 elections which lasted till February 2023, increased the level of protests in Nigeria. However, there were just few incidences of protest and riots reported in this month’s report. This concludes that there is correlating relationship between protest and elections in Nigeria.
Conclusions and Recommendation
Kidnapping and killings remained Nigeria’s largest source of violence in the last month. This is as a result of inefficient and non-availability of security personnel in the region during the time the events take place. Especially in the Northern part of Nigeria where there is a very high level of violence and conflict issues, there is need for the government to allocate more security personnel to such places where there is an increased level of conflict to curb the situations on time before the worst could happen. The issues of violence ravaging in all part of the country is not a threat to just the affected victims or states but a threat to the security of Nigerians as a whole, which can have a long lasting psychological, mental and social effect if not paid much attention to.
In other words, security measures need to be strengthened by the Government and they should also provide basic amenities for the citizens. Unemployment may also be the cause of an increase in conflict as the saying goes “An idle man, is the devil’s workshop”. People who do not have any source of income would want to get into different means just to earn a living, such as kidnapping for ransom from family members or the government, killings and other forms of violent issues. Therefore, there is need for the government to create more employment opportunities for its citizens.
Furthermore, it is shocking to see how communal conflict has increased in the Northern part of Nigeria which has led to a high death rate. The government should also place priority on the causes of conflict between these communities, what they want and set out measures to solve the conflict in order to avoid a continuous increase in the loss of lives of members of the communities.