Nigerians recount violence and terror as banditry attacks surge across the country
A study of bandit victims in Nigeria reveals the brutal, calculated nature of attacks that have killed thousands and displaced entire communities.
Banditry in Nigeria has emerged as a severe security crisis, with attacks escalating sharply in the opening months of 2025. According to recent reporting, 599 attacks were recorded in the first part of the year alone, resulting in 2,742 casualties—nearly double the toll from the same period in 2024, when 256 attacks left 1,585 dead.
A study examining victims' experiences across four of Nigeria's six most affected geopolitical zones—North-Central, North-West, South-West and South-East—has documented the systematic and brutal nature of the violence. Researchers conducted in-depth interviews and focus group discussions across 48 communities, and spoke with state security officials and traditional leaders in each area.
"A month will not go by without someone being killed in this village," one participant told the research team, capturing the relentless cycle of violence that has gripped rural Nigeria.
The anatomy of attacks
Banditry in Nigeria is described as "a loose collection of various criminal groups involved in kidnap-for-ransom, armed robbery, cattle rustling, rape and sexual violence, pillage and attacks on traders, farmers and travellers, particularly in Nigeria's northwest region." The violence extends beyond the northwest, now reaching into southwest and southeast zones.
The study reveals a pattern to these attacks. Bandits typically strike late at night or in the early morning hours. Many target market days or Sundays, when communities are gathered and traders are active. The attacks themselves are varied: farm invasions, livestock theft, killing, kidnapping, gang rape, and the destruction and looting of entire settlements.
Gendered violence and inside help
The data shows a stark gendered dimension to the violence. Men are more frequently killed in attacks, while women are more likely to be abducted. In some cases, women are forced into marriages with bandits rather than executed. This pattern of sexual violence and forced marriage represents a deliberate strategy, though the reporting does not elaborate on the stated motivations.
A striking finding is the role of insiders. Although bandits often attack areas unfamiliar to them, community members—sometimes residents of the targeted location—assist in planning and executing raids. In some cases, bandits have imposed levies on communities, extracting regular payments in exchange for reduced violence.
The scale of loss
The brutality is stark. One participant described a single attack: "There was an attack by bandits where we lost over 20 people. We had the mass burial in a single day." Such mass casualties have forced communities to adapt their burial practices and grieving rituals.
All 48 communities surveyed reported experiencing violent bandit attacks, though the frequency, severity and methods varied. Beyond deaths and injury, the violence has driven displacement, destroyed property and created a climate of widespread fear across rural Nigeria.
Understanding the crisis
The research underscores a gap in security knowledge. While studies have examined the costs of banditry and possible remedies, understanding of how bandits operate—their methods, timing, recruitment, and community infiltration—remains limited. Security planners and vulnerable communities say that better intelligence on bandit tactics could inform preventive measures and help residents adopt protective behaviours.
The surge in 2025 and the documented testimonies point to an urgent need for security responses informed by the lived experiences of affected communities.