1,932 Civilians Killed in North-East as UN Warns of Rising Attacks on Humanitarian Workers in Borno, Adamawa, Yobe

Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.

At least 1,932 people were killed across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states between April and June 2026, according to the latest humanitarian access snapshot released by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. The figure, which represents an average of more than 21 deaths per day over the 91-day period, is contained in OCHA's 2026 Second Quarter Humanitarian Access Snapshot for the three North-East states, compiled by the Humanitarian Access Working Group using data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) and the UN Mine Action Service. The report identified insecurity, violence against humanitarian workers and assets, bureaucratic bottlenecks, and a harsh physical environment as the major factors constraining aid operations in the region during the quarter.

A breakdown of the data showed that 60 explosive ordnance incidents were recorded in the three states during the quarter, a 10.5 per cent drop from the 67 logged in the same period of 2025. Improvised explosive device incidents also fell to 54 from 65, a decline of 16.9 per cent, while civilian casualties linked to explosive ordnance and IEDs dropped sharply to 54 from 163, a decrease of 66.9 per cent. According to the report, the joint military operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria and United States forces in northern and central Borno State contributed to the reduction in explosive-related incidents, as civilians also grew more cautious about movement due to heightened insecurity. "The high-tempo nature of US and AFN military operations witnessed during this period contributed to a reduction in IED/EO incidents. Additionally, civilians aware of the heightened insecurity and threats by NSAGs moved around less during this period, contributing to a narrowing of the locations affected by IEDs this quarter," the report read.

However, the same operations triggered reprisals by non-state armed groups on Monguno, Damasak, Damboa, Bama, Konduga, Marte, Dikwa, Kukawa, Mobbar and Gwoza local government areas in Borno State, as well as Gujba in Yobe and Madagali in Adamawa, many of which housed civilians recently relocated from other locations. The report disclosed that health and nutrition partners suspended operations in Dapchi, Bursari Local Government Area, on April 4 after repeated attacks by non-state armed groups. Similar attacks forced humanitarian partners to temporarily halt activities in Madagali town and scale down operations in Chibok in early April, following raids on both towns. Nigerian troops repelled an attack on Bazamri village in Konduga Local Government Area on May 13, and another on Alou Dam, a few kilometres from Maiduguri, on May 31. The report added that a total of 11 airstrikes were carried out in Borno State during the quarter, the most prominent hitting Jilli Market, on the boundary between Gubio and Geidam local government areas, on April 12, with most other strikes concentrated in the Sambisa Forest and Mandara Mountains.

The report also flagged a rise in attacks on humanitarian personnel and assets compared to the first quarter of 2026. It said a truck ferrying humanitarian supplies was attacked and looted near Gubio town on April 11, while two non-governmental organisation staff were abducted in Monguno town on June 24. On June 29, government troops repelled an attack on a truck returning to Maiduguri after a delivery to Damasak. However, the driver was critically injured after running over an IED near Kareto in Mobbar Local Government Area. On the physical environment, the report noted that a bridge collapsed due to flooding in Rann town on June 18, as the Nigerian Meteorological Agency's 2026 seasonal climate prediction had forecast an early and above-normal rainy season. The military ban on fertiliser transport without permits, intended to restrict materials for explosive devices, disrupted farmers ahead of the planting season, though OCHA secured approvals for partners to move fertiliser to hard-to-reach areas. A fuel price spike linked to the United States-Israel conflict with Iran further raised transport costs. On June 1, state authorities stopped a humanitarian truck and demanded extra cargo approvals.

The report expressed concern over the continued closure of internally displaced persons camps and the relocation of displaced residents to communities that remained vulnerable to attacks. "The state authorities continued their policy of closing IDP camps and relocating displaced people to their places of origin or to other locations. Some of these relocations have seen increased insecurity challenges after the movements," the report stated. OCHA further warned of growing tensions within IDP camps and host communities, alleging excessive use of force by members of the Civilian Joint Task Force and other security actors. The findings come amid a broader humanitarian crisis in the North-East, where more than 3.5 million people remain internally displaced and nearly 35 million Nigerians are projected to face acute food insecurity between June and August 2026. The UN report underscores the persistent challenge of protecting civilians and delivering aid in a region where armed groups continue to wield significant influence over vast swaths of territory, even as military operations have made some tactical gains.

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