Nigeria — North-central & North-west Flash Report 167 (01 July - 07 July 2024)

On 01, 03 and 04 July 2024, communal clashes occured in the community of Aila in Egba ward of Agatu local government area (LGA), armed bandits attacked the community of Samco Community in Borikyo ward of Ukum LGA and heavy rainfall occurred in the community of Achusa Market in Bar ward of Makurdi LGA all in Benue State. There were reports of 78 injuries and 28 fatalities. The attacks displaced 618 individuals in 135 households from Aila community to Obagaji host community in Obagaji ward. The affected individuals included 851 children, 387 women and 297 men. 

On 04 and 06 July 2024, armed bandits attacked Model Primary School Camp in Gwadabawa ward of Gwadabawa LGA in Sokoto State and a communal clash occurred in the community of Sabuwar Unguwa in Wakili Kudu 3 ward of Katisna LGA in Katsina State. There were reports of 39 injuries and six fatalities. The affected individuals included 1,069 children, 549 women, and 304 men.

Of all the needs identified, food, non-food items (NFI), WASH, and transport were the most prevalent. Other needs included shelter, psychosocial support, and health.

Following these events, DTM (Displacement Tracking Matrix) field staff conducted rapid assessments to inform the humanitarian community and Government/partners, and to enable a targeted response. 

Nigeria’s north-central and north-west zones are afflicted with a multi-dimensional crisis. Long-standing tensions between ethnic and religious groups often result in attacks and banditry or hirabah. These attacks involve kidnapping and grand larceny along major highways by criminal groups. During the past years, the crisis accelerated and has resulted in widespread displacement across the north-central and north-west regions.