A six-month investigation reveals that 578 people were killed by bandits and herdsmen across North Central Nigeria, with Benue and Plateau states accounting for the majority of casualties.
Banditry Crisis: 578 Killed in Six Months Across North Central Nigeria
Banditry Crisis: 578 Killed in Six Months Across North Central Nigeria No fewer than 578 people have been killed by armed bandits, suspected herdsmen, and other criminal groups across Nigeria’s North Central region between November 2024 and April 2025, a Saturday Sun investigation has revealed.
The figure, based on an analysis of media reports from the period, underscores the deepening insecurity in the zone, where mass killings, village raids, and coordinated attacks have become tragically routine.
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Benue State emerged as the worst hit, accounting for 244 deaths — roughly 42 percent of the total fatalities recorded. Plateau State followed with 137 deaths (24 percent), while Nasarawa State recorded 104 fatalities (18 percent).
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Other affected states include Kogi (57 deaths, 10 percent), Niger (29 deaths, five percent), and Kwara (seven deaths, one percent).
While security agencies and state governments have yet to release official casualty figures for the period under review, it is widely believed that several incidents remain unreported, suggesting the actual death toll could be even higher.
Benue: Epicenter of Attacks
Benue State bore the brunt of the violence, suffering over 27 reported attacks between November 2024 and April 24, 2025. The hardest-hit local government areas included Ukum, Logo, Katsina-Ala, Kwande, Otukpo, Guma, and Makurdi.
In November 2024 alone, four major attacks left at least 44 people dead. Christmas Day turned bloody in Kwande, as over 30 residents were killed and thousands displaced.
Although only one fatal attack was recorded in January 2025, February witnessed four attacks with 33 deaths. March saw five violent incidents, including the murder of three hunters in Otukpo and the killing of 16 farmers whose bodies were dumped in River Katsina-Ala.
April 2025 proved especially brutal, with more than 10 separate attacks leaving at least 103 people dead across multiple communities.
Plateau: Rising Casualties Amid Renewed Hostilities
In Plateau State, no major incidents were reported in November 2024. However, violence flared in December, when 15 people were killed in Ganawuri, Riyom Local Government Area.
Three attacks were recorded in March 2025, including the killings of two police officers, a Miyetti Allah leader, and 11 mourners in Bokkos.
The violence escalated sharply in April, with 52 people slaughtered in Bokkos on April 2, and 53 more killed less than two weeks later in Zike Kimakpa, Bassa Local Government Area.
Nasarawa: April Bloodbath
Nasarawa State experienced relatively fewer attacks earlier in the review period. A November 2024 attack left three dead, while February 2025 saw three soldiers ambushed and killed in Katakpa, Toto LGA.
However, the state witnessed a devastating escalation in April 2025, when coordinated attacks across four local government areas — Obi, Awe, Doma, and Keana left 78 people dead.
Kogi: Gradual Rise in Attacks
Kogi State recorded seven deaths in November 2024 and 12 in December. Six people were killed in January 2025, followed by five in February. In March, 15 deaths were reported, and 12 more fatalities occurred in April.
Niger: Isolated but Deadly Incidents
In Niger State, sporadic but deadly attacks were documented. Seven people were killed on November 5, 2024, and a student was murdered on November 11. An improvised explosive device (IED) blast claimed another life in December.
In February 2025, 19 farmers were killed in a single attack on Karaga village, Shiroro LGA, marking the deadliest incident in the state within the period.
Kwara: Minimal but Tragic Losses
Kwara State recorded only one significant attack during the six months under review. On April 21, 2025, bandits attacked communities in Ilesha Baruba and Kemanji, killing seven people and injuring many others.
Despite multiple government interventions, insecurity in Nigeria’s North Central zone continues to escalate, leaving thousands displaced and communities devastated.
Observers warn that unless proactive measures are urgently implemented, the humanitarian and security crisis may worsen ahead of the 2027 general elections.
