2.2.2. Bauchi

2.2.2. Bauchi

Bauchi state is comprised of the following 20 LGAs: Alkaleri, Bauchi, Bogoro, Dambam, Darazo, Dass, Gamawa, Ganjuwa, Giade, Itas/Gadau, Jama’are, Katagum, Krifi, Misau, Ningi, Shira, Tafawa Balewa, Toro, Warji and Zaki. The capital city is Bauchi.685

According to the Nigerian government, there are 55 ethnic groups in Bauchi state, including the Hausa, Fulani, Sayawa, Bulewa, Karekare, Kanuri, Warjawa, Zulawa and Badawa.686

UNFPA and the US Census Bureau projected the population of Bauchi in 2022 at 8 308 783, based on figures from the 2006 census figures.687

a) Conflict dynamics and main actors

For a general overview on actors in Nigeria, please see section 1.1 Main Actors.

During the reference period, Bauchi’s governor declared that the state was one of the country’s most secure.688 Security incidents included an assassination of a former local politician (May 2025)689 and a deadly ambush by suspected bandits on a security patrol690 of vigilantes and hunters who were faced with ‘superior firepower’ from the attackers691 (Gwana district, Alkaleri LGA, May 2025).692 Moreover, a group of around 30 gunmen carried out a deadly attack on Dogon Ruwa village in the same LGA in July 2025,693 while clashes were reported between herders and farmers in Darazo LGA.694 The state also saw between 10 and 15 kidnappings in 2024, according to Nigeria Watch.695

b) Security incidents and impact on the population

In the period from 1 January 2024 to 31 August 2025, ACLED recorded 58 security incidents in Bauchi state that resulted in a total of 159 fatalities. Of these incidents, 15 were coded as battles, 1 as explosion/remote violence, 17 as riots, and 25 as violence against civilians.696

Security incidents were recorded by ACLED in 11 LGAs of the state, with the highest number documented in Alkaleri LGA (16 incidents), followed by Bauchi (15) and Toro (10) LGAs. No incidents were recorded in nine LGAs. According to ACLED, unidentified armed groups (coded as either ‘Actor1’ or ‘Actor2’) were involved in the majority of incidents coded as violence against civilians.698

The May 2025 suspected bandit attack on a local security team in Gwana district of Alkaleri LGA resulted in a gun battle699 that killed 10 civilians (reportedly all Fulani herders) and 13 hunters/vigilantes, alongside more than 60 attackers.700 This incident was preceded by the bandits kidnapping 16 villagers and rustling some 500 cattle.701 The July 2025 assault on Dogon Ruwa left one person dead, another injured, and ten more abducted.702

Conflict-related infrastructure damage and road security - No information could be found during the reference period.

Displacement, movement and return - As of November 2024, IOM estimated the number of IDPs in Bauchi state at 65 876,703 compared to 65 358 as of September 2024. IOM lists insurgency (83 %) and communal clashes (17 %) as the main reasons for displacement in the state.704 No information could be found on returns in the state during the reference period.

c) State response in maintaining law and order

According to a February 2024 statement by the Bauchi state governor, the state had rivers, mountains and forests that could serve bandits as hideouts.705 In April 2025, the NAF reportedly thwarted plans by ISWAP to set up bases in the state.706 After the May 2025 attack in Alkaleri LGA, the state governor announced a new joint security force to tackle insecurity in Gwana district.707 The July 2025 attack on Dogon Ruwa village further prompted the deployment of security forces (troops, police, vigilantes and hunters) to the affected area to track down assailants and search for victims.708 Community-based hunters and vigilantes were patrolling areas of the state.709