Humanitarian Crisis, northwest Nigeria

Niger State

September 2026

A humanitarian disaster is developing in the northwest of Nigeria.

There have been widespread attacks by vigilante groups on Fulani homes in Niger/Kebbi states within the last couple weeks, leaving perhaps 1,000 dead and thousands more displaced. 

Thousands of cattle are wandering freely damaging farms as their owners have been killed or fled for their lives.

Kebbi and Niger states where the crisis is developing. Map generated with mapchart.net

Amnesty International Nigeria described appalling conditions that IDPs are living in without shelter, food and sanitation.

Amnesty International Report, click to read original

Whole Truth Nigeria reports: “Huge numbers of these IDPs are Fulani and the situation is appalling. Some are crossing into Benin, some are fleeing north, but many are just stuck. And the flooding season is at the door...” Eye witness statements like this indicate that although the media tends to blame the Fulani people for much of the suffering in Nigeria, in fact, the Fulani people are suffering along with everyone else due to banditry.

Thousands of IDPs in north east Nigeria (Niger State) Photo: Amnesty International

This video shared on 21^st August interviews Fulani refugees in Kebbi who are struggling since the attacks. 

Zarar Bunnu interviews internationally displaced people in north east Nigeria, among them thousands and thousands of Fulani people.

Previously the different ethnic groups had been living peacefully in the area until bandits began attacking them.

We are greatly concerned about the thousands of internally displaced people suffering as a result of this crisis.  We add our voice to that of Amnesty International to raise our concern for the many people suffering and homeless in the rain.

Children and young people unable to attend school due to attacks on their homes and villages. Photo: Amnesty International