1. The escalated Insurgency Begins (2015–2016)
January 2015 – Baga Massacre
Boko Haram overran Baga, Borno State, attacking a Multinational Joint Task Force base and razing towns. Reported fatalities ranged from 150 (official) to upwards of 2,000 civilians.
This marked a brutal escalation in the insurgency, exposing military vulnerability.
January 2016 – Dalori Attack
Over 86 residents were killed near Maiduguri. Militants used firebombs and suicide vests.
This underscored Boko Haram’s persistent threat even near secured zones.
2. Emergence of New Fronts: Banditry and Herdsmen Attacks (2016–2019)
2016
Nigeria launched Operation Harbin Kunama and Operation Sharan Daji targeting Northwestern bandits. Despite tactical successes, violence persisted in Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kaduna.
2017–2019
Banditry, farmer-herder clashes, and communal conflicts surged. Kidnapping for ransom, largely by Fulani-affiliated militants, became rampant beyond the Northeast.
3. Kidnappings and Mass Abductions Surge (2018–2021)
February 2018 – Dapchi Kidnapping: Boko Haram abducted 110 girls in Yobe; 5 confirmed dead.
December 2020 – Kankara Abduction: 300+ boys taken from Katsina; released after 6 days.
2021: Jangebe (300+ girls), Kagara (27 students), Afaka (39), and Greenfield University (20).
School Abductions –
2014–2024: 1,400+ students abducted across Nigeria.
March 2024: Kaduna (287 children), Sokoto (15).
4. Bandit Force Grows, Massacres and Displacement Worsen (2020–2024)
Massacres
Jan 2022: 200+ civilians killed in Zamfara.
Jun 2022: Shiroro ambush (48 dead).
Bandit Scale
By end-2022: ~30,000 fighters in NW Nigeria; 1M+ displaced.
2021: 2,600 civilian deaths due to banditry (ACLED).
Kidnap-for-Ransom
2023: 4,000+ kidnappings (record high); 229 children killed, 886 missing.
5. Human Toll & IDP Crisis
Jan–Oct 2023: 7,000+ deaths (NE: 2,691, NW: 1,767, NC: 1,589).
1.6M+ children abducted since 2014; 580 civilians kidnapped in 2024.
Dec 2023 IDPs: Katsina (231,937), Zamfara (160,498), Kaduna (119,787), Sokoto (94,729), Kano (15,608).
2023: 4,998 Christians killed; 3.4M displaced.
NE agricultural collapse threatens food security.
6. Recent Developments and Emerging Threats (2024–2025)
Borno: 57 villagers massacred by Boko Haram.
Maiduguri under renewed threat amid military strain.
7. Fulani Herder–Farmer Clashes: South-South, South-East and South-West
Scale & Fatalities
2010–2018: 60,000+ deaths nationwide.
2010–2023: 19,000+ deaths, significant displacements.
South-West
Ondo forests exploited by criminal herders (2022).
Amotekun regional security launched in response.
South-East and South-South
2016 Nimbo massacre (Enugu): dozens killed.
2018 Adamawa/Plateau: 15–200 killed.
2022 Plateau: 50–100+ killed, 70 kidnapped.
8. Gunmen Kidnappings and Forest Incursions in the South
Clergy Targeted
2015–2025: 145 priests kidnapped, 11 killed.
South-East
May 30, 2024: Aba attacks kill 11 (5 soldiers, 6 civilians).
Early May 2024: 3 dead in checkpoint ambush.
South-West
Arepo (Ogun): forest corridor kidnappings.
Herders hideouts in Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti disrupt farms.
South-South
Mar 28, 2025 (Edo): mob lynches 16 Fulani/Hausa men over kidnap suspicions.
9. Timeline of Key Incidents (2015–2025)
Year Region Incident
2016 Enugu (SE) Fulani attack on Nimbo: dozens killed
2018 Adamawa/Plateau 15–200 killed, dozens kidnapped
2020 Southern Kaduna 500+ killed in communal attacks
2022 Plateau 50–100+ killed, 70 kidnapped
2022 Ondo Kidnappings, crop destruction
2024 Abia (SE) Aba shootings kill 11
2024 Ogun (SW) Arepo forest kidnappings
2025 Edo (SS) 16 lynched over kidnap suspicions
2015–25 National 145 priests kidnapped, 11 killed
10. Statistical & Thematic Analysis
Kidnapping Trends
“Fulanisation” of kidnapping reflects ethnic tensions.
Clergy abductions rise across the South.
Forest-Ecosystem Threats
Forests in Ondo, Ogun, Abia serve as criminal hubs.
Fragmented Government Response
Amotekun and local militias fill federal gaps.
Transhumance regulation and land reform remain unresolved.
Imo State Incidents (2015–2025)
Fulani Herdsmen and Gunmen Attacks in Imo
Oguta-Aba‑Owerri Corridor (May 6, 2025): Suspected herdsmen ambushed a bus along the Owerri–Aba Expressway, killing one driver and abducting 21 passengers, including students returning to University of Uyo .
Umuna, Onuimo LGA (May 2025): Armed gunmen, believed to be herdsmen-linked, burned six vehicles on the Umuna Road, abducted 26+ commuters along the Owerri–Aba axis .
18-seater Bus Hijack (May 2025): Between Umueche and Mbutu Okohia (Ngor Okpala), Fulani herdsmen hijacked a bus, abducting all on board.
Kidnappings & Clergy Abductions
Isiala Mbano (Nov 2024): Catholic priest of St. Theresa’s parish, Fr. Emmanuel, was kidnapped .
Oforola (Jan 4, 2025): Four individuals were rescued from forest captivity, police credited the operation, though community vigilantes actually effected the rescue .
Obowo LGA (Oct 6, 2024): Newlywed couple and four others abducted after a wedding ceremony; the fourth kidnapping incident in the LGA following prior attacks on the local police station .
Umuariam (Sep 2024): Two men were kidnapped in Umuariam, Obowo .
Ndegwu and Amakohia‑Ubi (Feb 16, 2025): A youth killed and a 70-year-old abducted, young man killed on his birthday by suspected Fulani herdsmen .
Separatist-linked Violence and Highway Attacks
Okigwe–Owerri Highway (May 2025): At least 30 travelers killed, 20+ vehicles torched in a suspected unknown gunmen attack.
Owerri Prison Break (April 5, 2021): Over 1,800 inmates freed in a large-scale jailbreak, troops suspect ESN involvement.
Python dance instigated IPOB Insurgency Spillover (2021–2025): Imo has seen sustained reprisal operations by IPOB/ESN as a result of the 3 python dance operations in the state, including attacks on police stations in Aboh Mbaise, Ehime mbano etc (Feb 26, 2021) and other centers, escalating into open conflict in Orlu that began January 2021 .
Industrial Disaster (Non‑Conflict Related)
Illegal Refinery Explosion (April 22, 2022): A blast at an illicit oil refinery on the Imo–Rivers border killed over 110, underscoring governance lapse and environmental risk .
Summary for Imo State
2021–2025 Surge: Imo has experienced a sharp increase in violence, ranging from highway massacres to Fulani herder raids and routine kidnappings.
Frequent Targeting of Clergy and Civilians: Numerous kidnappings of priests, commuters, farmers, and villagers reflect the endemic threat.
Police and Local Vigilantes’ Response: Rescues sometimes credited to police are actually led by community vigilantes, highlighting federal-state security coordination gaps.
Government and Local Calls for Action: Civil society urges death penalty for armed herdsmen and revival of community security systems .
11. Broader Implications
1. Ethnic Polarization: Mob justice and retaliatory killings deepen divisions.
2. Militancy: Separatist-linked gunmen attack security forces.
3. Displacement: Communities across the South suffer humanitarian breakdowns.
4. Governance Failures: Lack of reform fuels worsening instability.
12. Summary Timeline at a Glance
Period Key Events and Trends
2015–2016 Boko Haram massacres in Baga, Dalori
2017–2019 Banditry rises; herder-farmer clashes surge
2018–2021 School abductions intensify
2020–2022 Massacres in Zamfara; Shiroro ambush
2023 4,000+ kidnappings; 7,000+ deaths
2024–2025 Boko Haram resurgence; Southern incursions escalate
13. Conclusion & Way Forward
Insecurity in Nigeria is now nationwide, driven by jihadist insurgency, Fulani ethnic militia and criminal networks.
Southern Nigeria, once peaceful, now faces kidnappings, armed herders, and communal violence.
The government must shift from reactive militarism to proactive structural reform:
Land rights and grazing policy
Community policing
Forest surveillance
Conflict mediation
Economic empowerment
Without these, Nigeria risks permanent encirclement by chaos.
Hon. Chima Nnadi-Oforgu
Duruebube Uzii na Abosi
OBLONG MEDIA UNLIMITED 
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