Armed groups in Nigeria are linked to violence across several regions

Multiple armed groups — including jihadist militants, kidnapping gangs, farmer-herder militias and secessionist factions — are reported to be driving insecurity across Nigeria, and officials blamed a Boko Haram faction for recent killings in Kwara state.

Several armed groups are operating across Nigeria and have been linked to recent waves of violence. Officials blamed a Boko Haram faction for mass killings this week in Kwara state, though no group has publicly claimed responsibility. The country continues to face a long-running jihadist insurgency in the northeast. Other security challenges include mass kidnappings in the northwest, farmer-herder clashes in the central region, and secessionist agitation in the southeast. Known facts: - Officials have blamed a faction of Boko Haram for recent mass killings in Kwara state, while no group has officially claimed responsibility. - Nigeria has faced a prolonged jihadist insurgency in the northeast involving Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province. - Kidnapping gangs in the northwest carry out mass abductions for ransom and are described in reports as operating for profit. - Farmer-herder clashes in the central region and secessionist violence in the southeast continue to contribute to local insecurity and displacement. Summary: Multiple, overlapping armed groups are affecting different regions of Nigeria and have been reported to cause deaths and displacement. Officials have named a Boko Haram faction in the recent Kwara attacks, but responsibility has not been independently confirmed. Undetermined at this time.