Nigeria’s Hidden War Zones: 3.5M+ People Displaced Across NE, NW, NC in 2025 — Borno Tops the List

In 2025, millions of Nigerians are on the move inside their own country — not in search of better jobs or schools, but running from violence, floods, and the slow-burning crisis of rural poverty. New figures compiled by StatiSense, using data from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) as of September 2025, estimate that more than 3.5 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) now live across Nigeria’s North-East (NE), North-West (NW) and North-Central (NC) zones. Borno State alone reportedly hosts about 1.7 million IDPs, more than the entire population of some smaller African countries.

These numbers are not just statistics. They represent people who once had homes, farms, shops, classrooms, and communities. Today, many of them live in crowded camps, makeshift shelters, unfinished buildings, or with host families who are themselves struggling to survive.

Understanding Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)

Before diving into the numbers, it is important to clarify what internally displaced persons (IDPs) are — and what they are not.

An internally displaced person is someone who has been forced to flee their home but has not crossed an international border.

Unlike refugees, who leave their country and seek asylum abroad, IDPs remain inside their national borders. They are still under the responsibility of their own government, but often depend heavily on humanitarian assistance from both national and international actors.

In Nigeria, displacement is mainly driven by:

1. Armed conflict and violence – particularly Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgency in the North-East, as well as banditry, kidnapping, and communal clashes in the North-West and North-Central.
2. Farmer–herder conflicts – especially in the Middle Belt, where pressure on land and water leads to clashes between crop farmers and pastoralist herders.
3. Climate shocks and environmental disasters – including large-scale floods such as the 2024 Alau Dam collapse in Borno and the 2025 Mokwa flood in Niger State.
4. Chronic insecurity and weak livelihoods – where communities move repeatedly because they cannot safely farm, trade, or send their children to school.

Most IDPs in Nigeria are not displaced once, but several times. People may flee an attack, return home when the situation calms, and then be forced to move again after a new incident. This constant movement makes it difficult to count IDPs precisely, but the trends are clear: displacement is widespread, protracted, and concentrated in the northern half of the country.

The New 2025 Snapshot: IDPs by State

The widely shared StatiSense breakdown of IDPs by state — referencing UNHCR data from September 2025 — lists the following figures for the three zones combined (NE, NW, NC):

• Borno: 1.7 million
• Benue: 457,000
• Katsina: 270,000
• Zamfara: 217,000
• Adamawa: 200,000
• Yobe: 167,000
• Kaduna: 118,000
• Sokoto: 100,000
• Bauchi: 66,000
• Taraba: 63,000
• Plateau: 55,000
• Gombe: 52,000
• Niger: 47,000
• Nasarawa: 24,000
• Kogi: 21,000
• Kano: 13,000

While the exact total varies depending on the methodology and the date of the last assessment, these figures support broader UN and humanitarian estimates that over 3.5 million people are currently displaced within Nigeria. Other sources, such as UNHCR and UNICEF, have previously reported over two million IDPs in Borno alone and millions more across the rest of the North-East and Middle Belt.

For context, some of these states — like Borno, Benue, and Zamfara — also have relatively high levels of poverty, limited infrastructure, and large rural populations. This means that displacement does not just add a humanitarian burden; it hits communities that are already vulnerable.

Nigeria’s IDP Hotspots by Region

Although the StatiSense list arranges the states in descending order of IDPs, it is useful to view them through the lens of Nigeria’s geopolitical zones. The displacement crisis is concentrated in three major regions:

1. North-East (NE) – Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba
2. North-West (NW) – Katsina, Zamfara, Kaduna, Sokoto, Kano
3. North-Central (NC) – Benue, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa, Kogi

Each region has its own drivers of displacement and specific challenges.

1. North-East: The Epicentre of Insurgency and Floods

The North-East has been the heart of Nigeria’s internal displacement crisis for more than a decade. The Boko Haram insurgency, which began in 2009 in Borno State, has caused massive loss of life, widespread destruction of villages, and the disruption of farming and trade routes across Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa. A breakaway faction aligned with the so‑called Islamic State (ISWAP) continues to target military and civilian sites in the region.

In addition to armed conflict, the North-East has faced major climate shocks. The collapse of the Alau Dam in Borno in 2024 led to severe flooding, with hundreds of thousands of people displaced from Maiduguri and surrounding communities. Many who had already been displaced by conflict were uprooted again by water.

Let us look at the key states.

Borno: 1.7 Million IDPs

Borno is by far Nigeria’s largest displacement hotspot. Multiple humanitarian assessments indicate that well over a million people are displaced within the state, with many living in formal camps or camp‑like settings. Others stay with relatives or host communities.

Borno’s high figure is explained by several overlapping factors:

• Prolonged insurgency: For years, Boko Haram and ISWAP targeted villages, roads, and markets. Many rural communities were effectively cut off, forcing residents into garrison towns or camps.
• Restricted movements: Some local governments in Borno have remained partially inaccessible because of insecurity and landmines. This prevents safe returns and keeps people dependent on assistance.
• Floods and environmental shocks: The 2024 flooding destroyed homes, farmland, and basic infrastructure, pushing more people into temporary shelters.
• Population size: Borno is one of the more populous northern states; when large districts are displaced, the numbers add up quickly.

Camp life in Borno is complex. On one hand, camps provide access to food distributions, basic health services, and some protection. On the other hand, overcrowding, limited water and sanitation, and restrictions on movement make it difficult for families to rebuild normal lives. Many IDPs express a desire to return home but worry about security, landmines, and the absence of schools or clinics in their original communities.

Adamawa and Yobe: Still Affected, Still Vulnerable

Adamawa (around 200,000 IDPs) and Yobe (around 167,000 IDPs) are also heavily affected by the insurgency. These states have both conflict-affected border areas and relatively safer zones where displaced families seek refuge.

• In Adamawa, many communities along the border with Cameroon have experienced attacks, leading to displacement into larger towns such as Yola. Farmers who used to depend on rainy‑season agriculture struggle to access land or inputs in their new locations.
• In Yobe, repeated attacks and threats have forced people to move several times, particularly in the eastern local governments. Some families live in informal settlements on the outskirts of towns, where they receive less structured support than in formal camps.

Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba: Hosting Displaced Neighbours

Bauchi (66,000 IDPs), Gombe (52,000 IDPs) and Taraba (63,000 IDPs) are sometimes seen as “host states.” While they have their own local conflicts and displacement, a significant number of IDPs in these states come from neighbouring areas.

• Some Bauchi communities host families fleeing both North-East insurgency and farmer–herder conflict spilling over from the Middle Belt.
• Gombe sits at a crossroads between conflict-affected areas and more stable regions; it receives displaced people but also faces challenges related to unemployment and poverty.
• Taraba has experienced local conflicts and communal clashes, particularly in border areas, which contribute to its IDP figures.

2. North-West: Banditry, Kidnapping, and Rural Insecurity

While the North-East has been in the global spotlight because of Boko Haram, the North-West has quietly become another major hub of displacement. Many Nigerians refer to this as “bandit crisis,” involving armed groups that attack villages, kidnap for ransom, rustle cattle, and block major roads.

Katsina: 270,000 IDPs

Katsina State, the home state of a former Nigerian president, has seen a steady rise in attacks on rural communities. Villages are raided for livestock, money, and grain; in some cases, entire communities have relocated closer to town centres for safety.

The 270,000 IDPs figure reflects not only those in formal camps, but also many who live with relatives or rent rooms in urban centres. Repeated school kidnappings and road ambushes have made headlines, but the slow, everyday reality of displacement — moving from one village to another, abandoning farmlands, and relying on relatives — is less visible.

Zamfara: 217,000 IDPs

Zamfara is another major hotspot. For several years, media and local civil society groups have documented widespread attacks by armed groups on farming communities. Entire local governments have suffered from cattle theft, burning of houses, and targeted killings.

The displacement in Zamfara is often circular: people flee to a nearby town after an attack, receive limited support, and sometimes return to their farms when the situation calms, only to face new threats in the next farming season. This pattern undermines agricultural production and keeps food prices high.

Kaduna: 118,000 IDPs

Kaduna State straddles the North-West and the Middle Belt, and its displacement dynamics reflect both zones. The state has experienced a mix of communal clashes, farmer–herder conflicts, and criminal banditry. In Southern Kaduna, cycles of violence between communities have led to repeated displacement of villages.

At the same time, parts of central and northern Kaduna face kidnapping and banditry along major roads. Some communities in these areas have effectively become semi‑abandoned as residents move to safer towns.

Sokoto and Kano: 100,000 and 13,000 IDPs

Sokoto hosts about 100,000 IDPs, many of them fleeing bandit attacks in rural districts or neighbouring states. The proximity of Sokoto to Niger Republic and other border areas adds a cross‑border dimension to insecurity and trade disruptions.

Kano, Nigeria’s commercial hub in the north, has a smaller but still significant caseload — around 13,000 IDPs. Many live in urban slums or peri‑urban communities, blending into the wider population. Because they are less visible than camp populations, they may not benefit from structured humanitarian programs.

3. North-Central: The Middle Belt Under Pressure

The North-Central region — often called the Middle Belt — is where Nigeria’s north and south meet. It is ethnically and religiously diverse, agriculturally rich, and politically strategic. Unfortunately, it has also become a major area of displacement, driven by farmer–herder conflicts, communal violence, and increasingly, climate-related disasters.

Benue: 457,000 IDPs

Benue State reportedly hosts about 457,000 IDPs, the second-highest figure after Borno in the StatiSense breakdown. Benue has been the scene of repeated clashes between farming communities and armed herder groups, as well as attacks on villages by unidentified gunmen.

Large camps and settlements dot the state, especially around Makurdi and other local government headquarters. Many displaced families here are farmers who have lost access to the fertile lands that earned Benue its nickname, the “Food Basket of the Nation.”

Beyond conflict, Benue also faces severe flooding along the Benue River. When seasonal floods hit communities that are already hosting IDPs, the humanitarian situation becomes even more complex.

Plateau: 55,000 IDPs

Plateau State has a long history of communal and religious tensions, particularly around Jos. Although there have been peace initiatives, periodic outbreaks of violence still occur, causing displacement in rural areas.

The 55,000 IDPs in Plateau include families who have been displaced multiple times over the past decade. Many live in mixed communities where both hosts and displaced people share limited resources.

Niger: 47,000 IDPs and the Impact of Floods

Niger State appears in the list with about 47,000 IDPs, but this figure likely understates the full scale of displacement when recent floods are considered. In 2025, the Mokwa flood in Niger State killed hundreds and displaced thousands, destroying farmland and infrastructure along a key corridor of the Niger River.

The combination of insecurity in some local government areas and climate shocks such as the Mokwa flood means that displacement in Niger State is both conflict- and disaster‑driven.

Nasarawa and Kogi: 24,000 and 21,000 IDPs

Nasarawa and Kogi host tens of thousands of IDPs between them. Both states face a mix of farmer–herder tensions, communal disputes, and seasonal flooding along major rivers.

• In Nasarawa, clashes over land use and migration routes for cattle have triggered displacement in some local governments.
• In Kogi, communities along the Niger and Benue rivers are regularly affected by floods, which can temporarily or permanently displace families.

These states often serve as transit or host locations for people fleeing neighbouring conflict hotspots, adding to pressure on local services.

The Human Face of Displacement

Statistics can feel distant, but each number in the IDP figures represents a person with a story. While every situation is different, several common themes appear across camps and host communities in the NE, NW, and NC regions.

1. Children Pay the Highest Price

Humanitarian agencies regularly estimate that children make up more than half of Nigeria’s IDP population. For many of these children, displacement interrupts schooling, exposes them to malnutrition and disease, and increases the risk of exploitation or recruitment by armed groups.

In camp classrooms, teachers often struggle with overcrowded classes and limited learning materials. Some children attend “temporary learning centres” under tents or simple shelters. Others, especially those in urban slums rather than formal camps, may be out of school entirely.

2. Women and Girls Carry Heavy Burdens

Women and girls face specific challenges in displacement settings:

• They often shoulder responsibility for fetching water, cooking, and caregiving in crowded camps.
• Exposure to gender‑based violence and harassment can increase, especially where camp lighting and security are poor.
• Widows or single mothers may have limited access to income‑earning opportunities.

At the same time, displaced women are frequently at the forefront of community organising. They help coordinate food distributions, manage small savings groups, and support one another emotionally through trauma.

3. Livelihoods Destroyed, Poverty Deepened

Whether in Benue’s fields, Borno’s drylands, or Zamfara’s grazing routes, most of the displaced were farmers, herders, or small traders before they fled. Displacement cuts them off from land, livestock, and tools.

In camps, humanitarian assistance often covers only basic food and essential items. Opportunities to earn an income are limited. Some IDPs engage in petty trade, casual labour, or small-scale farming near camps, but competition for resources and land can strain relations with host communities.

For host families who shelter relatives or neighbours, the economic burden can also be heavy. Households that take in displaced families share food, water, and living space, often without receiving any formal assistance.

4. Psychological Trauma and Social Fragmentation

Beyond physical loss, displacement brings emotional and social disruption:

• People who have witnessed attacks or lost loved ones may experience deep trauma, anxiety, and depression.
• Community structures — such as elders’ councils, religious groups, and associations — can be weakened when people are scattered.
• Tensions may arise between host communities and IDPs over scarce resources, especially when assistance is perceived as unequal.

Yet there are also stories of resilience: youth volunteers serving as community mobilisers, displaced farmers sharing knowledge about improved seeds, and local leaders mediating disputes to keep camps peaceful.

Economic and Security Implications for Nigeria

The displacement crisis is not only a humanitarian concern; it also has significant economic and security consequences.

1. Impact on Agriculture and Food Security

The NE, NW, and NC zones together form a major part of Nigeria’s agricultural heartland. They produce staple crops such as maize, sorghum, millet, rice, and yams, as well as livestock.

When hundreds of thousands of farmers cannot safely access their fields, national food production suffers. Reports from FAO and other agencies warn that conflict and displacement, combined with floods and rising input costs, contribute to food insecurity for millions of Nigerians.

Displacement also weakens rural labour markets and reduces local demand for agricultural services. Traders face roadblocks, insecurity, and high transport costs, which push up food prices in urban centres.

2. Strain on State and Local Government Finances

Hosting large numbers of IDPs is expensive. State and local governments must allocate funds for:

• Temporary shelters or land allocations
• Health facilities and staff in camp areas
• Additional water, sanitation, and waste management
• Security deployments around camps and host communities

In states that already have limited revenue and competing priorities, displacement can stretch budgets to breaking point. Some rely heavily on federal allocations and international aid to manage the crisis.

3. National Security and Social Stability

Displacement and insecurity feed into each other. On one hand, armed groups and criminal networks cause displacement by attacking communities. On the other hand, large, under‑served IDP populations can become vulnerable to recruitment or exploitation.

The longer people remain displaced without durable solutions — such as safe return, local integration, or resettlement — the higher the risk of social fragmentation and future instability. Addressing displacement is therefore not just an act of compassion; it is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s long‑term stability.

Government and Humanitarian Response

Nigeria’s displacement crisis has prompted both national and international responses. While challenges remain, there are structured efforts to track, assist, and protect IDPs.

1. Data and Tracking: IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM)

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) runs the Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) in Nigeria, regularly collecting data on the number, location, and needs of IDPs. DTM assessments in the North-East, North-West, and North-Central regions provide much of the foundation for the figures used by UN agencies and analysts.

DTM teams work with state emergency management agencies, local authorities, and community leaders to identify camps, camp‑like settings, and host communities. Their data help humanitarian actors plan food distributions, shelter interventions, health services, and protection activities.

2. National and State-Level Institutions

Several Nigerian government bodies are responsible for aspects of the displacement response, including:

• National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) – the federal agency mandated to coordinate IDP and refugee issues.
• National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) – responsible for disaster management, including floods and other emergencies.
• State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) – counterparts at the state level that oversee camp management and humanitarian coordination.

These agencies, together with state ministries of health, education, and agriculture, play important roles in delivering services. However, they often face constraints in funding, staffing, and logistics.

3. International Humanitarian Actors

A wide range of international agencies and NGOs operate in Nigeria’s displacement-affected regions, including UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, FAO, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and many others. Their work includes:

• Provision of food and nutrition support
• Primary healthcare, vaccination campaigns, and maternal care
• Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services
• Education-support programs and temporary learning centres
• Shelter construction and non‑food item distribution
• Protection services, such as legal assistance and psychosocial support

Donor funding from governments, multilateral agencies, and private foundations helps sustain many of these interventions. Nevertheless, humanitarian appeals for Nigeria are often under‑funded, forcing agencies to prioritise only the most urgent needs.

4. Local NGOs, Faith-Based Organisations, and Community Groups

Local actors play an essential but sometimes under‑recognised role. Faith-based organisations, community associations, and local NGOs often:

• Provide immediate shelter and food when new displacement occurs
• Mediate conflicts between host communities and IDPs
• Run small livelihood programs and skills training
• Support vulnerable groups such as widows, orphans, and persons with disabilities

Building stronger partnerships between international agencies and local actors can improve the sustainability and cultural relevance of interventions.

Challenges and Data Limitations

Despite ongoing efforts, several challenges make it difficult to respond perfectly to Nigeria’s displacement crisis.

1. Access and Security: In some areas, insecurity prevents humanitarian teams from reaching communities. This can lead to under‑counting of IDPs and gaps in assistance.
2. Fluid Movements: People move frequently between home areas, camps, and host communities, making it hard to capture an accurate snapshot at any one time.
3. Informal Settlements: Many IDPs live outside formal camps, renting rooms or staying with relatives. They may not be registered in official systems.
4. Funding Gaps: Limited resources mean not all identified needs can be met, even when good data exist.
5. Political Sensitivities: Displacement statistics can be politically sensitive. Some stakeholders may fear that high figures reflect poorly on security or governance.

For these reasons, all figures — including the 1.7 million IDPs in Borno and the 457,000 in Benue — should be seen as best estimates, not exact counts. However, they are robust enough to show overall trends and to guide policy and humanitarian planning.

Pathways to Durable Solutions

Ending the displacement crisis in Nigeria will require more than humanitarian aid. It demands a combination of security improvements, political dialogue, economic investment, and climate-resilient development.

1. Improving Security and Rule of Law

• Coordinated security operations: Continued, rights‑respecting operations against insurgent and bandit groups are essential to restore safe access to rural areas.
• Community policing and early‑warning systems: Working closely with local leaders and communities can help detect threats early and prevent attacks.
• Justice and accountability: Addressing impunity for major attacks and human rights abuses can reduce cycles of revenge and mistrust.

2. Supporting Voluntary, Safe, and Dignified Returns

Not all IDPs will be able or willing to return home, but many express a strong desire to do so if security and basic services are restored. Key principles for return include:

• Voluntariness: People should not be forced or coerced to leave camps before conditions are safe.
• Safety: Return areas must be free from active conflict, landmines, and unexploded ordnance.
• Dignity and sustainability: Returning families need support with shelter, livelihood inputs, education, and health services.

Where return is not possible in the short term, policies should support local integration in host communities or – in some cases – resettlement to new locations with appropriate land and infrastructure.

3. Investing in Livelihoods and Resilient Agriculture

Helping IDPs and host communities rebuild livelihoods is vital for both dignity and stability. Potential interventions include:

• Distribution of seeds and tools to restart farming in secure areas
• Support for climate‑smart agriculture and water management
• Vocational training and small‑business grants for youth and women
• Expansion of social protection schemes, such as cash transfers, in displacement‑affected communities

These investments benefit both IDPs and host populations, reducing tensions and supporting local markets.

4. Strengthening Climate and Disaster Preparedness

The Alau Dam collapse in Borno and the Mokwa flood in Niger show how climate and infrastructure risks intersect with conflict-related displacement.

Key steps include:

• Improving dam safety and early‑warning systems for downstream communities
• Mapping flood plains and enforcing land‑use planning to avoid high‑risk settlement areas
• Supporting climate‑resilient infrastructure, such as elevated roads and flood‑resistant housing
• Integrating IDP and host communities into national climate adaptation plans

5. Enhancing Governance and Inclusion

Durable solutions to displacement depend on inclusive, accountable governance at both state and federal levels. This involves:

• Ensuring IDPs are represented in local decision‑making structures
• Clarifying land and property rights for returning families
• Addressing underlying grievances related to marginalisation, resource sharing, and access to basic services
• Engaging youth as partners in peacebuilding, not just as beneficiaries of aid

How Readers, Donors, and Diaspora Nigerians Can Help

While large‑scale responses depend on governments and international agencies, individuals and organisations can also make a difference:

• Support credible humanitarian organisations working in Nigeria’s displacement hotspots through donations or partnerships.
• Amplify accurate information about the crisis on social media, avoiding unverified rumours or inflammatory narratives.
• Advocate for stronger policies on IDP protection, climate adaptation, and conflict prevention with elected representatives.
• Engage the Nigerian diaspora, who can contribute skills, funds, and advocacy to support affected communities.

For businesses and philanthropists, investments in health, education, and digital connectivity in displacement‑affected regions can create both social impact and long‑term economic opportunities.

Conclusion: Beyond the Numbers

“Nigeria’s Hidden War Zones” is not just a metaphor. From Borno’s garrison towns and flooded communities to Benue’s crowded camps and Zamfara’s besieged villages, displacement has become a central feature of life for millions of Nigerians in the NE, NW, and NC zones.

The 1.7 million IDPs in Borno and hundreds of thousands more in Benue, Katsina, Zamfara, and other states are a reminder that security, climate resilience, and inclusive development are deeply interconnected. Addressing one without the others will only produce partial results.

Yet the story is not only one of crisis. It is also a story of resilience: communities sharing what little they have, volunteers teaching in makeshift classrooms, women organising savings groups in camps, and young people using digital tools to document needs and push for change.

For Nigeria to move from emergency to recovery, displacement must be treated as a national priority — not a “northern problem” or a temporary inconvenience. That means sustained investment in peace, justice, and livelihoods, backed by accurate data and the voices of those directly affected.

If policy makers, humanitarian partners, and citizens work together, the next set of figures from Nigeria’s IDP crisis could tell a different story: not of rising numbers and expanding camps, but of safe returns, rebuilt communities, and a future where movement is driven by opportunity, not fear.