2. Description of security situation per state
2.9 Bauchi state
Returnees
The total number of returnees to Adamawa state by November 2020 was 820 734, an increase of 1 465 individuals (less than 1 %) compared to the previous round, see Table 13 below. This is the largest caseload of returnees with 47 % of all returnees in the states Borno, Adamawa and Yobe (BAY).978
Table 13 Change in returnee population by state (North-East Region) © IOM-DTM979
UNHCR noted that in Michika LGA, in the north of Adamawa towards Borno state, ‘kidnappers […]
demanding money under threat of kidnapping’ from people who had just returned after having fled the area earlier.980
The main occupation in Bauchi is farming, with the use of traditional methods and tools.986
2.9.2 Conflict background and armed actors
2.9.2.1 Background of the conflict
Although Bauchi had experienced several Boko Harm attacks in the past (in particular 2014-2015), the state did not experience the levels of violent extremism noted in other North-East Region states, as an Institute for Security Studies (ISS) report noted.987 In 2017-2018, like in the period 2019-2020, very few violent incidents were registered by ACLED. 988
2.9.2.2 Actors
Actors in the few violent incidents recorded by ACLED in Bauchi are mainly unidentified armed groups and local militia (Fulani and vigilante groups), and national and state security forces. 989
2.9.3 Recent security trends and impact on the population
In November 2020, the state governor reported that Bauchi state was experiencing an increase in
‘kidnapping, banditry, rape, cattle rustling, among others’ especially around Falgore forest at the border with Kano state.990
2.9.3.1 Number of security incidents
In 2020, ACLED reported a total of 11 security incidents (1 battle, 7 cases of violence against civilians, 3 incidents of riots) in Bauchi state, resulting in 18 deaths. The highest number of security incidents took place in Bauchi LGA. Of the 7 incidents of violence against civilians, 6 were attacks and 1 abduction.991
The evolution of the types of security events through the reference period, as well as the highest number of incidents by LGA is shown in the graph below. Other than the above-mentioned types of security incidents, 4 protests were reported during the reference period. 992
986 Nigeria, Bauchi State, n.d., url
987 ISS, New insights into how communities resist Boko Haram, 15 July 2020, url
988 EASO analysis PowerBI based on ACLED dataset, filtered on Nigeria, 1-1-2017 to 31-12-2020, url
989 ACLED dataset, filtered on Nigeria, 1-1-2020 to 31-12-2020, url
990 Guardian (The), Security agencies move against rising crime rate in Bauchi, 4 November 2020, url
991 ACLED dataset, filtered on Nigeria, 1-1-2020 to 31-12-2020, url
992 EASO analysis PowerBI based on ACLED dataset, filtered on Nigeria, 1-1-2020 to 31-12-2020, url
Figure 18 Evolution of security events coded battles, explosions/remote violence, riots, and violence against civilians according to LGAs in Bauchi state in 2020, based on ACLED data993
No source was found reporting on civilian casualties, including deaths and injuries of civilians. The identified sources report solely on the number of fatalities and do not distinguish between civilians and combatants in their reporting. The table below shows the number of violent incidents and fatalities, according to type of incident for Bauchi state in 2020, as recorded by ACLED.
Bauchi state Nr of incidents Nr of fatalities
Battles 1 9
Explosions/remote violence 0 0
Violence against civilians 7 8
Riots 3 1
Total 11 18
Table 14 Number of violent incidents and fatalities by type of incident in 2020994
From 1 January to 30 April 2021, ACLED reported a total of 6 security incidents (1 battle, 3 cases of violence against civilians, 2 incidents of riots) in Bauchi state, resulting in 3 deaths. 995
993 EASO analysis PowerBI based on ACLED dataset, filtered on Nigeria, 1-1-2020 to 31-12-2020, url
994 ACLED dataset, filtered on Nigeria, 1-1-2020 to 31-12-2020, url
995 EASO analysis PowerBI based on ACLED Dataset, filtered on Nigeria, 1-1-2021 to 30-04-2021, url
2.9.3.2 Illustrative security incidents
On 29 June 2020, a clash between herders and farmers in Zadawa village, Misau LGA, occurred over ownership of land and the distribution of farming and grazing lands. Nine people were killed and 6 injured.996
On 10 October 2020, 10 unidentified armed men attacked Gudum Hausawa, a suburb of Bauchi LGA, killing two persons. The reason for attack was not known and investigation was under way.997
On 14 November 2020, an armed criminal group, called Yan sara suka, attacked a local vigilante group, Yan Komiti, in Bauchi city, injured six persons and burnt vehicles.998
On 21 December 2020, unknown gunmen invaded a farm and killed two farmers in Tabak village, Zaki LGA. Several suspects were arrested by the police.999
2.9.3.3 State’s ability to secure law and order
ISS noted that Bauchi and Gombe did not experience the levels of violent extremism that other states did. Crucial factors contributing to limiting spread of extremism were: specific geographic and ethnic factors, but also a strong community-oriented traditional leadership and involvement of religious leaders and organisations who can ‘deconstruct a terror group’s ideology’. Also, vigilante groups collaborating with the police and sharing information were essential.1000
According to the police commissioner of Bauchi state, speaking in November 2020, security agencies were taking measures to address the insecurity caused by kidnapping, banditry, rape, and cattle rustling. The police was in contact with local youth groups to end the violence and to work on peace in the state.1001
2.9.3.4 Road security
No information was found on road security in Bauchi state.
2.9.3.5 Infrastructure damage and explosive remnants of war
No information was found on major damage in infrastructure or explosive remnants of war in Bauchi state.
2.9.3.6 Displacement and return
Throughout the North-East Region, an increase by less than 1 % in the number of IDPs was noted by IOM in November 2020, compared to the previous round (Round 34, September 2020). The reasons for displacement were similar to those in earlier DTM assessments: the ongoing conflict in the North-East Region, (92 % of IDPs), followed by communal clashes (7 %) and natural disasters (1 % of the cases).1002
IDPs
The total number of IDPs for Bauchi by November 2020 was 66 062, an increase of 1 077 individuals (2 %) compared to Round 34, September 2020 (see Table 12 in Section 2.8.3.6). Bauchi had one of the lowest numbers of IDPs in the North-East Region. 1003
996 Neptune Prime, 9 die, 6 injured in farmers, herders clash in Bauchi, 1 July 2020, url
997 This Day, Gunmen Kill Two Persons in Bauchi Community, 12 October 2020, url
998 Vanguard, Thugs attack community security volunteers, injure many in Bauchi, 18 November 2020, url
999 Guardian (The), Bauchi lawmaker decries attack on farmers by killer herders, 31 December 2020, url
1000 ISS, New insights into how communities resist Boko Haram, 15 July 2020, url
1001 Guardian (The), Security agencies move against rising crime rate in Bauchi, 4 November 2020, url
1002 IOM Nigeria, DTM North East Nigeria, Displacement Report 35, 11 March 2021, url, p. 3
1003 IOM Nigeria, DTM North East Nigeria, Displacement Report 35, 11 March 2021, url, p. 6
Returnees
No information was found on the number of returnees to Bauchi state.