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Nigerian bandit conflict

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Nigerian bandit conflict
Part of Herder–farmer conflicts in Nigeria
Date2011-Present[1]
Location
Throughout northwest Nigeria
Status Ongoing
Belligerents

Nigeria Nigeria

Various Gangs

  • Hausa militias
  • Fulani militias

Alleged involvement

Commanders and leaders
Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari
Nigeria Farouk Yahaya
Nigeria Hussein Ahmed †[2]		 Kachalla Halilu[3]
Dogo Gide[4]
Kachalla Turji[5]
Jack Bros Yellow (POW)[6]
Auwalun Daudawa †[7]
Other local commanders
Strength
8 Divisions[8] 30,000+ Zamfara state [9]
Casualties and losses
Unknown
1 Alpha Jet[10]		 Unknown
At least 8,000 killed
247,000 people displaced[11]

The Bandit conflict in north west Nigeria is an ongoing conflict between the Nigerian Government and various gangs and ethnic militias. Starting in 2011 with insecurity left from conflict between the Fulani and Hausa ethnic groups, the insecurity quickly allowed other criminal and Jihadists elements to form in the region.

Origins

The origins of the bandit conflict can be traced back to Herder–farmer conflicts that plague Nigeria. Environmental decline and resource scarcity for water and arable land led to communities competing viciously for those limited resources. Unemployment, large scale poverty, and weak local government has allowed for a steady stream of desperate people turning to criminal activity to earn a living. Large forested areas allowed for concealment and the formation of camps deep in the forest. Police and military personnel are unable to reach these forested areas.[12]

Escalation

Continued insecurity, desertification, and possible jihadist influence has allowed for a rise in attacks to take place. Large scale weapon smuggling have allowed criminal gangs access to heavy weapons increasing the deadliness of attacks. Underequipped local and federal forces coupled with the harsh terrain make offensive actions into the forest dangerous and susceptible to ambushes and attacks. Continued government inability to effectively deal with the problem has allowed the insecurity to spread and grow in ferocity.[13]

Activities

Bandit's in Nigeria follow multiple ways to gain money. Bandits ride into towns and villages on motorcycles and loots and kidnap anyone they see, anyone resisting will be killed. Kidnapping is a a very profitable venture in north-west Nigeria. A cow in Nigeria can fetch 200,000 Nigerian naira while one kidnapping can get millions of naira. Between 2011 and 2020 Nigerians had to pay at least 18 million to free family members and friends.[14][15]

Refugees

At least 247,000 people have been displaced in continuing bandit activity in north-west Nigeria.[16] At least 77,000 of the displaced have been forced into Niger's Maradi Region where cross border raids and attacks continue in violence into Niger. At least 11,320 refugees have been successfully relocated.[17]

Timeline

2020

April

2021

February

March

April

June

July

References

  1. ^ "Combating Banditry in Northwest Nigeria". American Security Project. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  2. ^ "Army mourns as General killed by bandits is buried in Abuja". Punchng. 16 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  3. ^ "Inside a Nigerian Bandit Camp". VOA. 28 February 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  4. ^ "Zamfara bandits' leader, Dogo Gide Assures Of Release Of Abducted Kagara Students And Teachers". the Nigerian voice. 20 February 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  5. ^ "Zamfara bandit goes wild over father's arrest, holds 150 hostage". The Nation. 18 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  6. ^ "Nigerian Army Captures Notorious Bandit Leader, Jack Bros Yellow In Niger State". Sahara Reporters. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  7. ^ "Nigeria kidnap kingpin killed in clash with rival gang". news24. 1 May 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  8. ^ "Troops eliminate 53 bandits including 5 Commanders in Zamfara after clearance Operations". Vanguard. 10 May 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  9. ^ "30,000 bandits terrorising my state, says Gov Matawalle". The Nation. 3 April 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  10. ^ "Nigerian fighter jet shot down by criminals, pilot survives". Yahoo!New. 19 July 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  11. ^ "The Growing Threat of Armed Banditry in North-West Nigeria". StrifeBlog. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  12. ^ "Combating Banditry in Northwest Nigeria". American Security Project. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  13. ^ "Why insurgent and bandit attacks are intensifying in Nigeria". TRTworld. 7 May 2021. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  14. ^ "Inside a Nigerian Bandit Camp". VOA. 28 February 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  15. ^ "Katsina: The motorcycle bandits terrorising northern Nigeria". BBC. 5 July 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  16. ^ "The Growing Threat of Armed Banditry in North-West Nigeria". StrifeBlog. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
  17. ^ "Surging violence in Nigeria drives displacement to Niger". UNHCR. Retrieved 29 July 2021.

Nigerian Bandit Conflict

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