Climate Shocks Displaced More People Than Banditry in Nigeria's Katsina State, IOM Reports

Climate-related disasters have displaced nearly 72,000 people in Nigeria's Katsina State over a recent one-year period, surpassing the number forced from their homes by banditry and kidnapping, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

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Almost 72,000 of those displacements followed floods, heavy rainfall or windstorms. Almost 60,000 were linked to armed banditry and kidnapping.

Between January 2025 and January 2026, floods, heavy rainfall, and windstorms were responsible for the displacement of approximately 72,000 individuals. In comparison, nearly 60,000 people were displaced due to armed banditry and kidnapping during the same timeframe. Overall, the state saw more than 138,000 people displaced by various incidents.

Sharon Dimanche, Chief of Mission of IOM Nigeria, highlighted that insecurity is not the sole cause of displacement. She emphasized that families fleeing violence or extreme weather face similar hardships, including loss of livelihoods, disrupted education, pervasive fear, and strain on host communities. "A family does not experience displacement in categories," Dimanche stated, underscoring the interconnectedness of these crises.

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A family does not experience displacement in categories.

The IOM's assessment reveals a broader crisis across the North-west region, with 737,073 internally displaced people recorded. Katsina State hosts nearly 181,000 of these individuals, while Zamfara has over 261,000. The organization also noted the return of nearly 147,000 people across the region, though Dimanche cautioned that return does not always signify a lasting solution. "The question is not simply: Have they returned? The real question is: Can they stay? Can they rebuild their lives? Can they feel safe again?" she asked, stressing the need for security, livelihoods, and services for returnees, alongside addressing the root causes of their displacement.

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The question is not simply: Have they returned? The real question is: Can they stay? Can they rebuild their lives? Can they feel safe again?

Dimanche stressed that the crisis extends beyond the North-west, impacting national stability. "What is happening in the North-West is not simply a regional issue. It is a national issue," she asserted, pointing to disruptions in food production, education, economies, and social cohesion.

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What is happening in the North-West is not simply a regional issue. It is a national issue.