On 28 March, bandits attacked a Kaduna-bound train in central Nigeria carrying 970 passengers. At least eight people were killed, and 168 were kidnapped and are still missing. This unprecedented act of violence, attributed to the failure of authorities to act on intelligence reports, has heightened concerns about a breakdown of security in the country. Institute for Security Studies research has shown an increasing nexus between bandits and jihadist groups such as Boko Haram and Ansaru. These violent extremists are key players in the violent crimes and terror activities in north-west and north-central Nigeria.