From observation of this month’s (September- 2023) conflict data on the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED), it was reported that there is a reduction in the death rate in the Northern (North-East, North-West and North-Central) part of Nigeria compared to the last three months where there was an outrageous increase in the number of deaths. However, this did not in any way reduce the number of conflictual incidences across the country. As abduction and other violent related activities seems to be high, whereas the Southern part of the country recorded more deaths in the reporting month.
In the Northwestern and Central region, there tends to be an increase in attacks by state communal militia basically targeted at civilians. Kidnapping has also turned to a daily business with North-West and North-Central recording the highest number of victims kidnapped in the month. In an attack in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna, more than 44 civilians were kidnapped in a highway by the Kaduna militia. And also, in Zamfara, a Zamfara militia abducted over 50 civilians around Darita Forest while they were on transit to Bagega (Anka, Zamfara) for the weekly market. This indicates how unsecured civilians are, living with fear every day that passes by and trauma even when carrying out their daily personal and economic activities.
The Rate of Death Caused by Violence across Regions in Nigeria
In this month’s conflict report, it was observed that not less than 458 deaths were recorded in Nigeria. These deaths were caused by armed clashes among different groups; Military, ISWAP, Operation Hadin Kai, IPOB/ESN militants and cult groups, air/drone strikes, attacks and riots.
Table 1: Death rate in all the Regions in Nigeria as of September
Regions | Number of Deaths |
South east | 34 |
North east | 155 |
South-south | 32 |
North central | 110 |
North west | 95 |
South west | 32 |
TOTAL | 458 |
The table above shows the number of deaths across all the regions in Nigeria. In the South-East, it was reported that not less than 34 persons were killed as a result of violent, 155 deaths in the North-East, 32 deaths in the South-South, 110 deaths in the North-Central, 95 deaths in the North-West, and not less than 32 deaths in the South-West.

The table represents the number of deaths caused by different violent incidences across all regions. Thus, battles that occurred between different groups led to the death of less than 89 persons in the North-East, 35 deaths in the North-West, 73 deaths in the North-Central, 25 deaths in the South-West, 24 deaths in the South-South and 21 deaths in the South-East. Furthermore, attacks by unknown gunmen and violent groups killed not less than 13 persons in the North-East, 60 deaths in the North-West, 3 deaths in the North-Central, 5 in the South-West and 7 deaths in the South-South region.
Whereas, air/drone explosions, led to the death of 42 persons only in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria. And also, demonstrations through riots and protest across the country, 4 deaths were recorded in the North-Central, 2 deaths in the South-West and 1 death in the South-South. Therefore, there were a total of 267 deaths caused by armed clashes or battles, 132 deaths caused from attacks by militia groups, 42 deaths during an air/drone explosion and not less than 7 deaths as a result of riots/protest in Nigeria.

Different Violent Incidences Reported in Nigeria as at September
The reported issues of violence in Nigeria includes;
Kidnapping/Banditry
Kidnapping is one of the most occurring issue in Nigeria, especially in the northern part of Nigeria. Though, kidnapping is now becoming alarming even in the southern part of Nigeria. In south west, in a particular event reported, on 29 September 2023, an unidentified armed group abducted twenty-five Christ Apostolic Church choir members on the Benin-Akure Expressway around Ifon (Ose, Ondo) who were travelling to Ifon for a burial ceremony when they were seized and taken to the bush by the armed group. In the North-East, On 14 September 2023, an unidentified armed group abducted 33 people in Alkaleri (Alkaleri, Bauchi. Some of the abductees were businessmen who were returning from a market and a ransom of 50 million naira each was demanded.
In the North-West, in just two attacks, more than 100 persons were abducted by the state militias. In Kaduna, a militia abducted over 44 civilians along the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari highway (Birnin Gwari, Kaduna) and over 50 civilians on their way to Bagega weekly market in Zamfara. And in the North-Central, Around 21 September 2023, the Niger Communal Militia abducted 21 people from the villages around Munya LGA, coded to Sarkin Pawa (Muya, Niger) and kept the hostages in the temporary camp in Tsohon Kabula.
One common report of the group of people been abducted this month are Church members and business people. However, it is important that this curtailed by the government as it may hinder the movement of people in search for their pastures.
Regions | Frequency |
South east | 10 |
North east | 69 |
South-south | 11 |
North central | 107 |
North west | 146 |
South west | 29 |
TOTAL | 372 |
A tabular representation of the number of people kidnapped in each region in Nigeria.
In the South-East, not less than 10 persons were kidnapped in the month of September. 69 persons in North-East, 11 persons in the South-South, 107 persons in North-Central, 146 persons in North-West and 29 persons in South-West region.
Attacks
Every region in Nigeria experience one form of attack or the other by different violent groups. The Southern part of Nigeria has an upsurge in the level of attacks by unidentified armed groups and cultist groups. The North-East is faced with attacks and the killing of farmers by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), while the North-West is faced with attacks on civilians by the state militias in the region. And also, in the North-Central is the increase rate of attacks by Fulani pastoralists and other state militias on civilians and farmers in the region. These attacks have led to the death of civilians, farmers, abduction of families and the destruction of properties.
Battles/Armed Clashes
As a result of the security situation in all the regions, there tends to be clashes and battles between different groups in all the regions. These battles come to play between security agencies (military) and armed groups and one-armed group against the other also. The South-South is faced with attacks by cult groups thereby getting the police engaged in fighting against these cult groups. In the South-East, in the fight for security and IPOB/ESN, there exist a number of clashes between the police, vigilantes and armed groups in the region. In the month of September, 2023, there tends to be an increase in the cult clashes in the South-West region. These has led to battles and clashes between Black Axe also called Aiye and Supreme Eiye confraternity in places like Ilesha, Osun state and Shagamu, Ogun state.
There is a heightened level of armed clashes and battles in the North-East in the fight to restore peace by the military. However, there exist clashes between various armed groups. These battles have also had a very serious impact on death rate in the region. The major clashes faced in this region is between the military, ISWAP and the Boko Haram group. Also, in the North-West region, due to the attacks by state militias on civilians, there tends to be an increase in the level of clashes between the state militias and the military.
Arrests
There was no much record of law defaulters arrested in the reporting month. However, in Abuja, the police arrested one hundred and twenty-four suspects from Kabusa, Karshi Nyanya, Dutse Alhaji, Mpape, Iddo, and Utako coded to Abuja (Abuja Municipal, Federal Capital Territory) for various offences. The raid was to ensure peace and security in the Abuja metropolis[1].
Looting/ Property Destruction
The destruction of government properties (Party campaign houses) has begun as elections draws nearer in specific regions. In the North-Central; Kogi, an unidentified armed group vandalized the property of an SDP chieftain in Ugwolawo, coded as Gwolawo (Ofu, Kogi). The assailants shot sporadically when they invaded the area, destroyed the party’s official vehicle, the victim’s personal car, set his house ablaze and looted items. And also, in the South-East, it was reported that an unidentified armed group set the palace of a monarch in the Orlu zone (Orlu, Imo) ablaze. The attack was over the monarch’s endorsement of a second term for the state governor[2].
Conclusion
Insecurity in Nigeria has reached alarming levels, affecting the lives and livelihoods of its citizens and hampering economic development. The causes of insecurity are numerous and interrelated, including but not limited to ethnic and religious tensions, economic inequality, political instability, and the activities of insurgent groups, criminal organizations and bandits.
This month’s conflict report indicates the increase in the level of abduction and killings of farmers and business people catering for their means of income along highways. It is important to understand these security threats affects these groups the most the most, especially in the rural areas. Therefore, there is need to set security agencies in highways to mitigate the level of killings and abduction by these dangerous armed groups.
Recommendation
In other to curtail the alarming level of insecurity issues in Nigeria, even though the security agencies are fighting very hard to mitigate insecurity, they need to put in more efforts to make sure that the lives and properties of the citizens are secured and safe especially in high ways and in the rural areas.
- Youth Engagement: Many of those involved in criminal activities and insurgency are young people. Therefore, providing them with opportunities for education, training and mentorship can redirect their energies towards more positive pursuits.
Dialogue and Conflict Resolution: It is very important for the government to engage in dialogue with various stakeholders, including insurgent groups, to address underlying grievances and seek peaceful solutions. This is one of the keys to solving conflict and insecurity in the country instead of paying for ransoms to violent groups.
References
ACLED