Nigeria has been ranked among countries with the deadliest terror incidents in 2025, recording the 10th most lethal attack globally, according to the Global Terrorism Index (GTI).
The report referenced a September 5, 2025, assault on Darajamal village in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, where 58 villagers and five soldiers were killed. It, however, noted that troops of the Nigerian Army killed about 30 of the attackers during the incident.
GTI further revealed that 70 per cent of global terrorism-related deaths were concentrated in five countries—Pakistan, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Niger, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“Six of the 10 countries most impacted by terrorism are in sub-Saharan Africa, now the global epicentre of terrorism,” the report stated.
According to the findings, Nigeria recorded the highest increase in terrorism-related deaths in 2025, rising by 237 fatalities. Overall, deaths surged by 46 per cent to 750, while attacks increased by 43 per cent from 120 incidents in 2024 to 171 in 2025.
“In 2025, Nigeria rose two places in the Index, reflecting the significant increase in terrorist activity in the country. Terror attacks in Nigeria increased by 43 per cent this year, from 120 incidents in 2024 to 171 in 2025. Deaths from terrorism have continued to rise, increasing by 46 per cent to 750 in 2025. This marks the highest death toll since 2020, driven by internal instability as well as ongoing conflict between ISWAP and Boko Haram. Together, fatalities attributed to these groups accounted for 80 per cent of all terrorism-related deaths in the country in 2025. Terrorist activity this year was heavily concentrated in the northeastern state of Borno, which experienced 67 per cent of attacks and 72 per cent of deaths in 2025,” it said.
The report identified civilians as the primary victims, accounting for 67 per cent of total fatalities, while military personnel made up 19 per cent. It noted a steady shift over the past five years toward increased targeting of civilians.
The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) emerged as the deadliest group in Nigeria in 2025, responsible for more than half of all attacks and deaths. The group carried out 92 attacks resulting in 384 deaths, a sharp increase from 20 attacks in 2024.
Meanwhile, Boko Haram remained active, conducting 43 attacks that led to 213 deaths, up from 26 attacks and 166 fatalities the previous year.
The group was also linked to Nigeria’s second deadliest attack of the year in Kukawa LGA of Borno State, where dozens of civilians were killed and many others abducted.
The report also highlighted the emergence of Lakurawa, a relatively new group affiliated with the Islamic State Sahel Province, which carried out 10 attacks resulting in 74 deaths—significantly higher than its activity in 2024.
GTI noted that ongoing territorial disputes and internal rivalries between Boko Haram and ISWAP continue to shape Nigeria’s security challenges. It added that economic pressures and governance issues have further contributed to instability, creating conditions that enable terrorist recruitment and operations.
The report stressed the urgent need for stronger counterterrorism strategies and improved internal stability to curb the rising wave of violence in the country.
