Nigeria is facing rising violence from kidnap gangs, jihadists, and separatist groups. The vast country has more than 250 ethnic groups with varied religious beliefs, making the security situation complex. In the north-west, Fulani "bandits" kidnap people for ransom, moving fast on motorcycles. These gangs are not driven by religion but by profit and have been declared terrorists by the government. Notable leaders include Ado Aleru and Bello Turji. The jihadist group Boko Haram, infamous for kidnapping over 200 girls in 2014, still attacks civilians and security forces mainly in the north-east. It has split into factions, including Iswap, which targets military groups, and Ansaru, active in central Nigeria. Another group, Mahmuda, operates in the west and is linked to ISIS. A newer militant group called Lakurawa operates in the north-west and has ties with jihadists in Mali and Niger. Meanwhile, Sahel's JNIM jihadists may be entering Nigeria, adding to the chaos. Central Nigeria faces deadly conflicts between mainly Muslim Fulani herders and Christian farmers over land and water. This conflict causes displacement and violence. In the south-east, the separatist group Ipob calls for an independent Biafra state. Its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, has engaged in kidnappings and attacks, imposing economic hardships. Its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, was recently sentenced to life for terrorismrelated crimes. The Nigerian army of 400,000 and police force of 370,000 are fighting on multiple fronts against these groups. Recent kidnappings in the north-west are blamed on bandits rather than Boko Haram or Iswap, though experts debate this. Nigeria's security crisis involves complex causes and groups, making it one of Africa's most challenging situations.