Crisis in Nigeria: The Surge of Kidnappings and Violence from Armed Groups

Sat Nov 29 2025 09:57:46 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Nigeria faces unprecedented challenges as various armed groups, including bandits, jihadists, and separatists, wreak havoc across the nation, influencing security and societal structures.

As Nigeria battles mass abductions and a range of violent factions, a breakdown of armed groups reveals a complex security crisis involving criminal gangs, jihadist insurgents, and ethnic conflicts. The government is struggling to contain these threats amid growing tensions.

Nigeria is currently grappling with a spate of mass abductions. But the vast country - bigger than France and Germany combined - also faces many other security challenges.

Recent attempts by former US President Donald Trump to frame the insecurity purely as the persecution of Christians overlook the complexities of Africa's most populous nation. There are over 250 ethnic groups in Nigeria, split between a mainly Muslim north and a largely Christian south, with numerous attacks affecting individuals of all faiths.

The country faces a multitude of threats: from criminal gangs in the north-west, and an Islamist insurgency in the north-east, to land conflicts in central regions and separatist tensions in the south-east. This dire situation leaves the military and police forces, numbering 400,000 and 370,000 respectively, overstretched.

Here's a breakdown of the main armed groups causing distress in the country:

'Bandits' - Kidnap Gangs

Known locally as bandits, these criminal gangs, primarily composed of the Fulani ethnic group, have exchanged livestock for firearms in a bid to thrive in a desperate economic environment. They lack organized leadership and profit through kidnappings, often striking swiftly on motorcycles.

Boko Haram - Jihadist Group

Notorious for kidnapping schoolgirls, Boko Haram emerged in 2002 with a mission to establish an Islamic state, leading to widespread violence, including the Chibok abduction. Despite losing territory, the group continues to conduct attacks against civilians and military personnel.

Iswap - Boko Haram Splinter Group

Formed as a reaction to Boko Haram's brutal tactics, Iswap tends to avoid civilian attacks and instead focuses on military targets. Clashes with Boko Haram highlight the ongoing jihadist power struggle in the region.

Ansaru - Boko Haram Splinter Group

Operating in central Nigeria, Ansaru is known for its deadly attacks, including a 2022 train hijacking that resulted in numerous abductions and fatalities.

Herders vs Farmers - Resource Battles

Long-standing conflicts between Fulani herdsmen and local farmers have escalated into violent reprisal attacks, exacerbating ethnic tensions. This struggle for access to grazing lands and resources has driven both sides to arm themselves.

Ipob - Separatist Group

Seeking independence for the Biafran people, the Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, have been implicated in violent acts against security forces and civilians in the south-east.

The situation in Nigeria remains dire, marked by fear and insecurity from various armed groups and ongoing communal tensions, leading to an urgent need for effective response strategies.