Nigerian banditry stalemate may offer opportunities

Significance Zamfara is at the epicentre of a banditry crisis that has spread throughout north-western Nigeria over the past decade. Government efforts to suppress it have failed for a variety of reasons, including a lack of adequate resources and the absence of a coherent strategy. Impacts State government and local authorities could frustrate federal government efforts at reaching a political settlement with bandit groups. The redeployment of military resources to the north-west may result in a more defensive stance towards north-eastern jihadists. Increased military pressure could exacerbate ethnic tensions if the military retaliates against local communities.