A report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) shows that there were about 2,375,661 internally displaced persons (IDPs) across the six Nigerian Northeastern States in 2023.
The report carried out by the IOM tagged Round 43 of Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) assessments released in November, was aimed to improve the understanding of the scope of internal displacement and return movements in the region.
According to the report, the Northeast zone is the most affected by the conflict and consists of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe. The assessments were conducted in 2,447 locations across the six states.
A total of 2,375,661 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) were identified in 483,467 households. It, however, signifies a decrease of 3 per cent (or 79,529 individuals) compared to Round 42 when 2,455,190 IDPs were recorded (July 2022).
The report revealed that the displaced persons lived in about 304 camps and camp-like settlements and 2,143 locations where victims lived among host communities.
IOM also explained that no less than 2,100,180 returnees were recorded during the assessment representing an increase of 117,050 individuals or more than 6% compared to Round 41 when 1,983,130 returnees were recorded in June 2022.
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Despite a slight decrease in IDP numbers between Round 42 and Round 43, a clear trend toward return to locations of origin in the BAY (Borno, Adamawa and Yobe) states was observed.
The northeast region was ravaged by a decade-long Boko Haram insurgency, farmer/herder clashes and the emergence of kidnappings which compelled thousands of people, especially in remote communities to relocate for their lives.
Different administrations within the Nigerian governments have pledged to address the lingering insecurity across the country, but the trend remains the country’s topmost challenge with hundreds being killed daily and thousands being displaced.
 shows that there were about 2,375,661 internally displaced persons (IDPs) across the six Nigerian Northeastern States.){kind=link}