Nigeria’s security situation has deteriorated further after a new global report revealed a sharp increase in terrorist attacks and related deaths across the country in 2025.
According to the Global Terrorism Index 2026, Nigeria moved up to fourth position among the most affected countries in the world, following a major rise in violent incidents linked to insurgent groups.
The report showed that terrorist attacks increased from 120 incidents in 2024 to 171 in 2025, representing a 43 percent rise. Fatalities also grew significantly, with deaths rising by 46 percent to about 750, the highest figure recorded since 2020.
Most of the violence was linked to extremist groups including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, which together accounted for the majority of terrorism related killings in the country.
The northeastern region remained the worst affected, with Borno State recording the highest number of incidents. Data in the report indicated that the region accounted for more than half of the attacks and most of the deaths recorded during the year.
The report noted that Nigeria was the only country in sub Saharan Africa where both terrorist attacks and fatalities increased during the period, while some neighbouring countries recorded a decline.
It also stated that terrorism related deaths in Nigeria have continued to rise since 2022, with the 2025 figure showing a large increase compared to the previous year.
One of the major concerns highlighted was the growing activity of groups linked to the Islamic State, with the number of attacks connected to such groups rising sharply within one year.
Globally, the report listed Nigeria among a small group of countries responsible for most terrorism related deaths worldwide, alongside Burkina Faso, Pakistan, Niger, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Security analysts say the findings show that the insurgency challenge in Nigeria remains serious despite years of military operations and counter terrorism efforts, with experts calling for stronger strategies to address the growing threat.
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