Recent security trends and impact on the population

In June 2020, ACAPS highlighted that ‘a new humanitarian crisis is emerging in Nigeria’s northwest with the ongoing activities of armed groups referred to locally as “bandits” in six states’, including Niger. The bandits’ attacks included shooting and killing, cattle rustling, kidnapping, rape, setting

1458 Nigeria, Niger State, n.d., url

1459 AP, Gunmen kill 22 people in 2 attacks in Nigeria’s middle belt, 4 September 2020, url

1460 Vanguard, Seven years of banditry in Niger State: 380 killed, 71 abducted, N79m paid as ransom, 13 February 2021, url

1461 International Crisis Group, Violence in Nigeria’s North West: Rolling Back the Mayhem, 18 May 2020, url, p. 3

1462 Ademola, A., The Growing Threat of Armed Banditry in North-West Nigeria, Strife, 8 January 2021, url

1463 Vanguard, Seven years of banditry in Niger State: 380 killed, 71 abducted, N79m paid as ransom, 13 February 2021, url

1464 Strife is, according to its website, a dual format publication comprised of Strife academic blog and Strife Journal. It is led by doctoral and graduate researchers based in the Department of War Studies, King’s College London. Source: Strife Blog, About Strife, n.d., url; Ademola, A., The Growing Threat of Armed Banditry in North-West Nigeria, Strife, 8 January 2021, url

1465 ACAPS, Nigeria. Banditry violence and displacement in the Northwest, 24 July 2020, url, p. 3

villages on fire and looting of valuables, with fatalities and displaced persons continuing to increase.¹⁴⁶⁶

CFR similarly noted in 2020 that Niger was one of the main states in Nigeria that was facing

‘devastating attacks from armed bandits’ for more than two years. The source cited ‘many overlapping factors’ to this outcome, such as cattle rustling, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, illicit mining, youth unemployment, poverty, inequality, as well as ‘the weakened, stretched, and demoralized security services’.¹⁴⁶⁷

Nigeria Watch reported that, in 2020, there were 547 fatalities in Niger, making it one of the states with the highest numbers of fatalities in Nigeria (Borno being the state with the highest number of fatalities) while noting that ‘all northern states affected by banditry and the Boko Haram insurgency’.¹⁴⁶⁸

According to the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), civilians were the ones mainly affected by

‘converging criminal and conflict dynamics in the north-west’. In the period between January and June 2020, at least 608 civilians were killed in approximately 245 incidents in five states including Niger; a significant increase compared to the 251 incidents recorded for all of 2019, with 1 028 fatalities.¹⁴⁶⁹ In January 2021, the Deputy National President of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) stated that in recent months, 20 of the Association’s members were killed and burnt beyond recognition by vigilantes in Mashegu LGA.¹⁴⁷⁰

2.19.3.1 Number of security incidents

In 2020, ACLED reported a total of 96 security incidents (34 battles, 3 incidents of remote violence/explosions, 57 cases of violence against civilians, 2 incidents of riots) in Niger state, resulting in 211 deaths. The highest number of security incidents took place in Rafi LGA (37 incidents with 54 deaths), followed by Shiroro LGA (27 incidents with 66 deaths) and Marga LGA (8 incidents with 32 deaths). Of the 57 incidents of violence against civilians, 47 were attacks, 9 abductions and 1 sexual violence. ¹⁴⁷¹

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, 20 protests were reported during the reference period. ¹⁴⁷²

1466 ACAPS, Nigeria. Banditry violence and displacement in the Northwest, 24 July 2020, url, p. 1

1467 CFR, Not All Violent Problems Require Violent Solutions: Banditry in Nigeria’s North-West, 23 July 2020, url

1468 Nigeria Watch, Tenth Report on Violence in Nigeria (2020), n.d., url, pp. 6, 8

1469 Samuel, M., Nigeria’s growing insecurity offers expansion opportunities for Boko Haram, 3 August 2020, url

1470 Vanguard, Miyetti Allah cries out, says 20 members killed, burnt in Niger, 19 January 2021, url

1471 ACLED dataset, filtered on Nigeria, 1-1-2020 to 31-12-2020, url

1472 EASO analysis PowerBI based on ACLED dataset, filtered on Nigeria, 1-1-2020 to 31-12-2020, url

Figure 28 Evolution of security events coded battles, explosions/remote violence, riots, and violence against civilians according to LGAs in Niger state in 2020, based on ACLED data¹⁴⁷³

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 Niger state in 2020, as recorded by ACLED.

Niger state Nr of incidents Nr of fatalities

Battles 34 97

Explosions/remote violence 3 9

Violence against civilians 57 104

Riots 2 1

Total 96 211

Table 24 Number of violent incidents and fatalities by type of incident in 2020¹⁴⁷⁴

From 1 January to 30 April 2021, ACLED reported a total of 63 security incidents (19 battles, 42 cases of violence against civilians, 2 incidents of riots) in Niger state, resulting in 161 deaths. ¹⁴⁷⁵

2.19.3.2 Illustrative security incidents

On 9 January 2020, bandits kidnapped the son of the District Head of Beni and 32 others from the Beni community (Munya LGA) and demanded NGN 49 million¹⁴⁷⁶ ransom for their release.¹⁴⁷⁷

1473 EASO analysis PowerBI based on ACLED dataset, filtered on Nigeria, 1-1-2020 to 31-12-2020, url

1474 ACLED dataset, filtered on Nigeria, 1-1-2020 to 31-12-2020, url

1475 EASO analysis PowerBI based on ACLED Dataset, filtered on Nigeria, 1-1-2021 to 30-04-2021, url

1476 49 million Naira correspond to approximately 107 461.88 Euros. Xe, Xe Currency Converter, n.d., url

1477 News Express, Bandits demand N49m to free kidnap victims, 10 January 2020, url

On 17 January 2020, bandits attacked Rumache community in Kukoki Ward (Shiroro LGA), killed the village head, Mallam Ahmad Yakubu Rumache and kidnapped his son and 16 other villagers.¹⁴⁷⁸ The perpetrators were allegedly suspected Fulani armed bandits.¹⁴⁷⁹

On 25 January 2020, approximately 50 armed bandits killed 11 people, kidnapped others and raped women during an early morning attack at Kudodo, Galapai, Dnakpala, Makera, and Dnalgwa villages (Shiroro LGA). In addition, 16 villagers were injured during the attack.¹⁴⁸⁰

On 12 April 2020, armed bandits raided the communities of Maikujeri, Tasha and Shamuyambu (Rafi LGA), killing three people and kidnapping 16 others. In addition, the source stated that ‘a young schoolgirl was openly raped by the bandits at Maikujeri town’. Three out of the 16 people kidnapped escaped.¹⁴⁸¹

Between 14 and 15 April 2020, bandits attacked Shiroro and Rafi LGAs. Five people were killed and another five were injured in Shiroro LGA. One person was killed and several others injured in Madaka community (Rafi LGA).¹⁴⁸²

On 19 April, two persons were killed by bandits during an attack at Gidigori and adjoining villages (Rafi LGA).¹⁴⁸³

On 24 June 2020, at least four people were killed by bandits who attacked the communities of Sunko, Gavya and Marafa (Shiroro LGA).¹⁴⁸⁴ Villagers were reportedly injured and others went missing.¹⁴⁸⁵, The Niger State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Wasiu Abiodun, was cited that no attack took place in these communities.¹⁴⁸⁶

On 3 September 2020, at least 20 villagers were abducted in an armed raid, when gunmen on motorcycles raided and opened fire at Adagbi village (Shiroro LGA).¹⁴⁸⁷

On 19 October 2020, three people were killed by gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen in Borgu LGA. One of the three victims was Adeniyi Odunlami, a businessman and Chief Executive Officer of Spool and Waterbodies Limited.¹⁴⁸⁸

On 30 November 2020, armed bandits killed four people in an attack at Daja local market and Mangun village (Mashegu LGA).¹⁴⁸⁹

On 13 December 2020, armed bandits attacked Chukuba community (Shiroro LGA). They killed the pastor and kidnapped nine other people. On 14 December, they kidnapped 11 other people from the neighbouring community.¹⁴⁹⁰

On 2 February 2021, ‘terrorists’ attacked 10 villages in Shiroro LGA, killed 25 people and abducted 40.

The villages were attacked because they refused to participate in a community meeting negotiating about the compensation to be paid to the terrorists to refrain from attacks on farmers harvesting their crops.¹⁴⁹¹

1478 Today, Bandits kill village head, abduct son, 16 others in sustained onslaught on Niger communities, 17 January 2020, url

1479 Nigeria Tribune, Suspected Fulani bandits kill village head, kidnap 17 others in Niger, 18 January 2020, url

1480 This Day, Bandits Kill 11, Kidnap Scores, Rape Women in Niger Communities, 26 January 2020, url

1481 Sun (The), Black Easter in Niger as bandits kill 3, abduct 13, 13 April 2020, url

1482 This Day, Again, Bandits Kill Six Persons in Niger, 16 April 2020, url

1483 This Day, Bandits Kill Seven People in Niger LG, 22 April 2020, url

1484 Daily Post, Banditry attacks: Four killed in renewed attacks in Shiroro LG, 25 June 2020, url

1485 Daily Post, Banditry attacks: Four killed in renewed attacks in Shiroro LG, 25 June 2020, url; Daily Trust, Bandits Kill 4 In Fresh Attack On Niger, 25 June 2020, url

1486 Daily Trust, Bandits Kill 4 In Fresh Attack On Niger, 25 June 2020, url

1487 AA, Nigeria: 20 villagers kidnapped in armed raid, 4 September 2020, url

1488 Punch, Suspected herdsmen kill FCT contractor, two others in Niger, 27 October 2020, url

1489 Nation (the), Bandits attack local market, kill Four in Niger, 2 December 2020, url

1490 Nigerian Tribune, How Bandits Hacked 7 Children To Death, Kidnapped 20 Others In My LG, 19 December 2020, url

1491 SB Morgen, Sitrep: What is happening in Niger State?, 18 February 2021, url

On 17 February 2021, 42 persons, including 27 students from Government Science College in Kagara were abducted by unknown terrorists.¹⁴⁹² They were released after 11 days.¹⁴⁹³

On 28 February 2021, ‘bandits’ attacked residents in various communities in Kundu, Gunna, Karako, and Maikunjeri, killing four and kidnapping at least 19 persons. Cattle was also rustled. ¹⁴⁹⁴

2.19.3.3 State’s ability to secure law and order

International Crisis Group reported in 2020 that the Niger state government was one of the states involved in dialogue primarily with herder-allied armed group leaders. The state authorities offered the armed groups incentives such as amnesty to try and put an end to the attacks. As a result of these talks, Niger reached some agreements with herder-allied groups in 2019. ¹⁴⁹⁵

As part of the measures taken by different states to reduce farmer-herder conflicts in the region - mainly through the establishment, reactivation and demarcation of grazing reserves - Niger state in 2018 designated 44 000 hectares of land in order to create 23 grazing reserves in the state.¹⁴⁹⁶ The senator for Niger East Senatorial District, in Niger state reported in January 2020 that ‘ [f]or months now, most local governments in Niger East have been under the menacing grip of bandits with no succour in sight.’¹⁴⁹⁷

An attack on 22 March 2020 described as an ‘ambush’ by bandits resulted in the death of 27 security personnel, including military, civil defence and policemen, in Shiroro LGA.¹⁴⁹⁸ Following that attack, the governor of Niger state announced an end to the dialogue between armed bandits and government in Niger state.¹⁴⁹⁹

According to the Sun, the armed bandits who attacked Shiroro LGA on 25 January 2020 moved ‘from one house to another without any resistance for about hours’.¹⁵⁰⁰

Following the attacks on 15 June 2020 in Kundu village (Rafi LGA) and in Gurmana (Shiroro LGA), which resulted in the death of 5 people, the Rafi and Shiroro senator accused the government of ‘not doing enough to arrest the attacks on the people in the two local government areas which have consequently dislocated their economic and social lives’. According to This Day, the senator further added that his people would take armed action if the government would not take the necessary measures to limit bandit attacks.¹⁵⁰¹

In February 2021, the Vanguard reported that bandits ‘operate without any challenge from the security agents’ in Niger state.¹⁵⁰²

2.19.3.4 Road security

Nigerian motorists, interviewed by Sahara reporters, stated that ‘The situation now in Niger State is terrible. The Birnin-Gwari Road is the most dangerous in the North-West for now, and that is the road

1492 Al Jazeera, Gunmen kidnap over 300 girls in Nigeria school raid: Police, 26 February 2021, url; SB Morgen, Sitrep: What is happening in Niger State?, 18 February 2021, url

1493 Leadership, After Releasing Schoolboys, Bandits Strike Again In Kagara, 28 February 2021, url

1494 Leadership, After Releasing Schoolboys, Bandits Strike Again In Kagara, 28 February 2021, url

1495 International Crisis Group, Violence in Nigeria’s North West: Rolling Back the Mayhem, 18 May 2020, url, p. 24

1496 International Crisis Group, Violence in Nigeria’s North West: Rolling Back the Mayhem, 18 May 2020, url, p. 27; PR Nigeria, Niger State Earmarks 23 Grazing Reserves for Herders, 8 February 2018, url

1497 This Day, Bandits Kill 11, Kidnap Scores, Rape Women in Niger Communities, 26 January 2020, url

1498 Blueprint, Bandits killed 27 security operatives, civilians in Niger – Shiroro youth, 25 March 2020, url

1499 Blueprint, Niger rules out further dialogue with bandits, 27 March 2020, url

1500 Sun (The), Armed bandits raid Niger communities, kill 11, kidnap 4 women, rustle over 300 cattle, 26 January 2020, url

1501 This Day, Again, Bandits Attack Two Niger Communities, Kill Five People, 16 June 2020, url

1502 Vanguard, Seven years of banditry in Niger State: 380 killed, 71 abducted, N79m paid as ransom, 13 February 2021, url

that connects from Niger to Kaduna.’ Bandits have a presence in that road, stopping cars and kidnapping people for ransom.¹⁵⁰³

According to one driver, the Minna-Birnin Kebbi, Kaduna-Kano and Sokoto-Gusau roads were the most insecure, due to bandits being after travellers to kidnap them. Another driver who was attacked just after Tafa, on the Abuja-Kaduna reported that the attackers were standing at ‘bad portions of the roads’ making a quick escape difficult or even impossible.¹⁵⁰⁴

2.19.3.5 Infrastructure damage and explosive remnants of war

No information was found on infrastructure damage and explosive remnants of war.

2.19.3.6 Displacement and return

For a general overview of the displacement trends in the North-West and North-Central Regions, see Section 2.2.3.6 in Kaduna state.

IDPs

No information was found on the number of conflict-related IDPs in Niger state.

Returnees

No information was found on the number of returnees to Niger state.

In document Nigeria Security Situation (Page 172-177)