Zamfara Attack Forces 484 People to Flee Their Homes, IDP Numbers Rise

A bandit attack in Zamfara State has made 484 people leave their homes. This includes 271 children. The number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Nigeria's North-west is now close to 800,000, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

These numbers are from Flash Report 291, released by the IOM on 19 June. This report followed a quick assessment of the attack that happened on 15 June in Gamo Gidan Bita, Birnin Magaji Ward, Gummi Local Government Area, Zamfara State.

The report says residents ran to Ubandawaki in the nearby Magaji Gari Ward after armed bandits attacked their community.

The IOM said it activated its Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) 72-hour early warning protocol on 16 June, one day after the attack. This was to check the humanitarian impact and help with emergency response planning.

The assessment showed that the attack displaced 484 people from 101 households. This is part of a larger humanitarian crisis that has forced over 143,189 people from their homes in Nigeria's North-west between December 2025 and June 2026.

The total number of internally displaced persons in the region is now about 794,018. Children make up more than half of those displaced. Of the 484 displaced persons, 271 were children. Additionally, there were 129 women and 84 men.

The attack also caused five casualties, which included three deaths and two injuries.

The IOM highlighted that emergency food assistance, temporary shelter, and essential non-food items are the most pressing needs. They noted that every affected household needs humanitarian support.

Women and Children Bear the Heaviest Burden

The assessment shows how much violence affects women and children more than others.

According to the IOM, women made up about 60 percent of those displaced, while men made up the remaining 40 percent. Girls aged between six and 12 years were the largest female age group among the displaced. Infants under one year were also among those who had to flee.

North-west Displacement Crisis Deepens

The recent attack shows how the humanitarian situation in Nigeria's North-west is getting worse. Armed groups keep attacking, uprooting communities.

The IOM reports that Zamfara had 279,224 internally displaced persons as of early 2026. This is an increase of 74,648 from the last report.

Separate IOM data revealed that attacks in nearby Katsina State displaced 3,830 people from 517 households from 21 May to 1 June.

In addition to internal displacement, insecurity in Nigeria's North-west and North-east has forced thousands to flee across borders. Data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) shows that over 8,500 Nigerians sought refuge in Niger, Cameroon, and Chad during the same six-month period.

Humanitarian Response

Bandit attacks have continued to destroy communities across Zamfara and other North-west states. This has led to widespread displacement, kidnappings, and loss of lives.

The latest IOM reports highlight the urgent need for ongoing humanitarian help and better security measures. This is to protect vulnerable communities, especially women and children, who suffer the most from the violence.

PREMIUM TIMES will provide updates as soon as it receives feedback from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Zamfara State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and the Zamfara State Police Command regarding relief efforts and the latest displacement.