UN reports sharp rise in civilian casualties from explosive ordnance in northeast Nigeria

At a United Nations press briefing on April 3, the UNMAS chief for Nigeria reported a sharp increase in civilian casualties from explosive ordnance in 2024 and described efforts with national partners to build demining capacity.

Edwin Feigmani, identified in the briefing as UNMAS's lead for Nigeria, said that UNMAS recorded 418 civilian casualties in northeast Nigeria in 2024, a 62% increase compared with 2023 figures, and that 45 civilian casualties had been recorded so far in 2025. He said UNMAS recorded the highest number of civilian casualties from explosive ordnance since February 2019 and reported increasing use of improvised explosive devices across the northeast and northwest of the country.

Edwin said about 2,000,000 people have been displaced since the fighting began and described government moves to adopt durable solutions and decongest internal displacement camps. He warned that 12 of 15 local government areas where returns are planned were also where 87% of explosive-ordnance incidents occurred in 2024, underlining clearance needs for safe returns.

UNMAS is delivering risk education with national NGOs and, with funding from Japan, is working with the police, civil defence and the newly established National Mine Action Center to train initial humanitarian demining teams. Edwin also flagged explosive-ordnance incidents in northwest Nigeria linked to a newly designated group operating in that region.

"We need to do more to support the safe and dignified returns of IDPs and refugees," Edwin said, and thanked donors including ECHO, Japan, UK Aid and USAID for financial support for UNMAS programs in Nigeria.

UNMAS said it will continue to coordinate with the Nigerian government and partners and provide operational updates as training and demining teams are established.