Attachments
The report, presents the results from Round 18 of Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) assessments carried out by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which aims to improve and better understand the dynamics and trend of the internal displacement in the north-central and north-west conflict-affected region. This atlas was assessed between September and October 2025 and reflects the number of IDPs and returnees from 10 states in Nigeria’s north-central and north-west geopolitical zone. In both regions, the most affected zones are Benue, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Kogi, Niger, Nasarawa, Plateau, Sokoto and Zamfara states.
As of October 2025, the region hosts 1,378,124 internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 428,969 returnees. IDPs are predominantly found in host communities (81%), with smaller proportions in camps, integrated settings, or relocated sites. The primary causes are armed banditry/kidnapping (54%), farmer-herder clashes (33%), communal clashes (7%), climate-related disasters (3%), and insurgency (2%). These factors vary by state and period, with armed banditry/kidnapping remaining the dominant trigger. Benue State leads in both IDP (464,543; 34%) and returnee (143,887; 34%) populations. Kogi State is the second largest for returnees (108,443; 25%), while Katsina and Kaduna also report significant figures. At the LGA level, Ibaji (Kogi) and several LGAs in Benue are major returnee hotspots. While progress is evident in the scale of returns in certain states and LGAs, significant challenges remain. Many areas continue to experience new displacement, and conditions for sustainable return are not uniformly present. The Atlas serves as a critical tool for planning, resource allocation, and advocacy, supporting efforts to restore safety, dignity, and opportunity for displaced and returning populations in the regions.