By Abiola Olawale
In a sobering reflection of Nigeria’s security challenges, new data has revealed that over 3.7 million Nigerians have been forced to flee their homes, seeking refuge in about 3,900 displacement camps and host communities across the nation.
The International Organisation for Migration Displacement Tracking Matrix, the National Bureau of Statistics, and humanitarian agencies updated these figures in March 2026, highlighting a humanitarian crisis fueled by a volatile mix of armed banditry, insurgency, and climate-induced communal clashes.
​While the decade-long Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast remains a primary factor, the “epicenter” of displacement has shifted significantly.
According to recent reports, 54% of new displacements are now triggered by armed banditry and kidnapping, particularly in the Northwest and Northcentral regions.
The New Diplomat reports that the displaced population of 3.7 million Nigerians is in at least 63 countries whose populations are under 3.7 million, according to United Nations population estimates.
Among countries with fewer than 3.7 million people are Uruguay (3.4m), Jamaica (2.8m), Qatar (2.7m), Namibia (2.6m), and Botswana (2.6m).
A breakdown of the report revealed that Zamfara hosts 276,887 IDPs in 9 camps
Also, Benue is estimated to be home to over 500,000 IDPs. According to the International Organization for Migration, Benue State hosts over 500,000 internally displaced persons, making it one of the worst-hit states.
The state currently operates 14 officially recognised camps.
In Taraba State, about 90,000 displaced persons are currently sheltered in eight camps located in Peva and Kufai Ahmadu in Chanchanji Ward of Takum LGA.
On its part, Kebbi State government said it currently had no active IDP camps, following the successful resettlement of displaced residents, notwithstanding the activities of the terror group, Lakurawa.
The Director-General of Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency, Dr. Ben Akwash, said the state had five IDP camps, including the major camp at Ugya in Toto LGA.
Other locations include Kadarko and Giza in Keana LGA, Agyragu in Lafia LGA, and Doma in Doma LGA.
In Adamawa State, the government closed all official camps as far back as 2014, allowing communities to run their own shelters.
Camps currently operate in Malkohi, Labondo, Bole, Fufore, and Sangere Marghi, relying largely on NGOs, religious organisations, and philanthropists for support.
In Sokoto State, the government established a major IDP camp at Ramen Kura, within the state capital. The camp currently shelters over 2,500 displaced persons, mostly women and children, who fled terrorists’ attacks.
Estimated displaced persons in 36 states; Abia – 1,000; Adamawa -218,118; Akwa Ibom – 2,000; Anambra -1,500; Bauchi -66,489; Bayelsa -1,000; Benue – 500,182; Borno – 1,711,481; Cross River – 3,000; Delta -1,000; Ebonyi – 1,000; Edo -2,000; Ekiti – 500; Enugu – 500; Gombe – 52,383; and Imo – 1,000.
Others are Jigawa – 500; Kaduna -117,541; Kano -18,000; Katsina – 244,839; Kebbi -5,000; Kogi – 10,389; Kwara -1,500; Lagos -2,000; Nasarawa -23,104; Niger -21,393; Ogun – 500; Ondo – 500; Osun – 500; Oyo – 1,000; Plateau – 62,357; Rivers – 1,000; Sokoto -117,568; Taraba -101,834; Yobe -155,030; and Zamfara -276,887.
