Kidnapping groups, extremists, and separatists causing chaos in Nigeria

Nigeria, the most populous nation in Africa, is facing a surge in mass kidnappings alongside numerous other security crises. Despite attempts by some international figures, including former US President Donald Trump, to frame these issues solely as attacks on Christians, the reality is far more complex.

The country is home to over 250 ethnic groups and is roughly divided between a predominantly Muslim north and a mostly Christian south, with mixed populations in central regions. Authorities report that people of all faiths have been targeted in attacks. Nigerias 400,000-strong army and 370,000-member police force are stretched thin across multiple hotspots.

Bandit Groups in the North-West

Criminal gangs, often called "bandits," are primarily made up of Fulani herders who have exchanged traditional pastoral tools for firearms. These weapons became widespread after Libyas collapse in 2011. These groups focus on kidnapping for ransom rather than ideological goals, moving swiftly on motorcycles to evade capture. Each gang operates independently, loyal only to its leader. Authorities have labeled these bandits as terrorists and placed bounties on key figures like Ado Aleru and Bello Turji. Younger members flaunt weapons and ransom money online, attracting attention on platforms like TikTok.

Boko Haram and ISWAP

Boko Haram, notorious for the 2014 Chibok schoolgirl abductions, originated from an Islamist sect in Maiduguri in 2002. Its insurgency escalated after the death of founder Mohammed Yusuf in 2009. Under Abubakar Shekau, Boko Haram controlled territory in the north-east, enslaving women and children and employing suicide bombers. Following Shekaus death, the group weakened but continues attacks on civilians and security forces.

A faction of Boko Haram, led by Abu Musab al-Barnawi, formed the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) around 2016. ISWAP primarily targets government and military personnel, avoiding Muslim civilian casualties. Tensions between Boko Haram and ISWAP persist, with frequent deadly clashes.

Emerging Militants: Mahmuda and Lakurawa

Mahmuda, a Boko Haram offshoot linked to ISIS, has operated near Kainji Lake since 2020, attacking markets and local vigilante groups. Its recent operations have moved to Niger and Kebbi states. Lakurawa, a new Islamist group in the north-west, claims to protect locals from bandits but imposes strict controls and has been declared a terrorist organization in 2025. Members enforce bans on music and carry out kidnappings and attacks on officials.

Al-Qaeda Linked Groups

Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), active mainly in Mali and Burkina Faso, may be expanding into Nigeria. In 2025, it claimed an attack in Kwara state, marking its first confirmed operation inside the country. If confirmed, this would add another layer to the already complex security landscape, which includes bandits, ISWAP, Lakurawa, and Mahmuda.

Herders vs. Farmers Conflict

Central Nigeria's Middle Belt suffers long-standing violence between Fulani herders and mostly Christian farmers over land and water rights. Urban expansion has encroached on grazing routes, causing repeated clashes in Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue, and Taraba states. Attempts to regulate grazing and establish ranches have faced resistance, and some ethnic militias have resorted to criminal acts against civilians.

South-East Separatist Violence

Separatist unrest in the south-east stems from decades-old Biafran independence movements. The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), led by Nnamdi Kanu, has created an armed wing called the Eastern Security Network (ESN), responsible for arson, kidnappings, and attacks in several states. ESN controls towns in Imo and Anambra states, enforcing strict curfews and displacing residents. Kanu and a breakaway leader, Simon Ekpa, have faced convictions abroad and in Nigeria. Advocacy for a "Christian genocide" narrative has also been promoted internationally by these groups.

Nigeria continues to navigate overlapping threats from criminal gangs, jihadist factions, local militias, herder-farmer disputes, and separatist movements, making the security situation extremely complex and multi-faceted.

Analysis: The Multifaceted Security Crisis in Nigeria

The security challenges faced by Nigeria cannot be simplified into a single narrative, despite efforts by some to frame the issues exclusively as attacks on Christians. The reality is far more complex, with a multitude of factors and groups contributing to the escalating violence. Nigeria's diverse religious and ethnic landscape, with over 250 ethnic groups, adds layers of complexity to the situation, as people from all faiths are being targeted by various insurgent and criminal factions.

The rise of criminal gangs, particularly in the northwest, has been exacerbated by the widespread availability of firearms in the region. Fulani herders, traditionally pastoralists, have increasingly resorted to kidnapping for ransom as a primary source of income. These bandits, often operating on motorcycles, remain highly mobile and difficult to capture, making them a persistent threat to civilians and authorities alike. The Nigerian military and police forces, stretched thin, have struggled to contain these groups, despite placing bounties on key figures like Ado Aleru and Bello Turji.

Additionally, the continued presence of Boko Haram and its offshoot, ISWAP, in the northeastern part of the country has only compounded the security crisis. While ISWAP's tactics have shifted towards targeting government and military personnel, Boko Haram's insurgency still impacts local populations, with civilians caught in the crossfire of these competing jihadist factions. New militant groups, such as Mahmuda and Lakurawa, are emerging in the region, further fragmenting the security landscape.

The situation is further complicated by the long-standing conflict between Fulani herders and predominantly Christian farmers in Nigeria's Middle Belt. Disputes over land and water rights have led to repeated violence, with ethnic militias resorting to criminal acts, further destabilizing the region. The government's attempts to regulate grazing routes and establish ranches have met resistance, contributing to the continued unrest.

Finally, separatist movements in the southeastern part of the country, particularly the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), add another layer of tension. While the group’s advocacy for independence has often been framed in religious terms, the violence perpetrated by its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), affects both civilians and government forces, creating yet another security challenge for Nigeria's authorities.

In conclusion, Nigeria is grappling with a complex web of security issues, from criminal gangs and jihadist factions to local militia violence and separatist unrest. These overlapping threats require a coordinated response from both domestic and international actors, focusing on addressing the root causes of conflict while strengthening security forces to combat these diverse challenges.

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• The kidnap gangs, jihadists and separatists wreaking havoc in Nigeria