Nigeria’s Security Situation Deteriorates Amid Rising Terrorism-Related Deaths
Nigeria faced a harrowing statistic in 2025, recording over 750 terrorism-related deaths, making it the fourth most affected nation worldwide according to the 2026 Global Terrorism Index (GTI). This alarming trend underscores a profound deterioration in the country’s security landscape.
Ranking Decline Reflects Growing Violence
The latest GTI report reveals Nigeria’s drop in ranking, now behind Pakistan, Burkina Faso, and Niger. After moving from sixth place in 2025 to eighth in 2023 and 2024, the data strongly suggests an ongoing decline in safety despite governmental assurances of improved conditions concerning rebel threats.
Escalating Violent Incidents Registered
In 2025, Nigeria experienced 171 recorded terrorist incidents and 243 injuries, with a GTI score of 7.792, marking a rapid escalation in violence throughout the region. The report indicates a dramatic increase in terrorist activities, with attacks rising by 43% from 120 in 2024 to 171 in 2025.
Link Between Domestic Instability and Rising Death Toll
The report highlights that the 750 terrorism-related deaths in 2025 represent the highest toll since 2020, attributing this spike to domestic instability and escalating confrontations among armed groups. The ongoing strife between factions such as the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram has become particularly lethal, accounting for 80% of all related deaths this year.
Northeast Region Faces Severe Impact
The northeastern region of Nigeria, particularly Borno state, remains the most affected area, with Borno accounting for 67% of all attacks and 72% of the reported deaths. Civilians are disproportionately affected, now comprising 67% of all fatalities—a significant increase from 39% in 2020—indicating a heightened targeting of vulnerable populations in these violent incidents. Military casualties make up 19% of the deaths.
ISWAP Rises to Prominence as Deadliest Group
Among the factions generating terror, ISWAP has reclaimed its status as the most potent threat. The group executed over half of the country’s attacks and fatalities, with 92 incidents this year alone resulting in 384 deaths. This is a stark contrast to 2024 when ISWAP recorded just 20 attacks.
Boko Haram Maintains a Dangerous Presence
Simultaneously, Boko Haram continues its operations, becoming increasingly menacing. In 2025, the group conducted 43 attacks, claiming 213 lives—up significantly from the 26 attacks and 166 deaths in 2024. The brutality of these attacks, including a notable incident in the Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, has raised alarm regarding the security trajectory in Nigeria.
Emergence of New Armed Groups and Global Context
A concerning development noted in the report is the rise of a new armed faction linked to the Islamic State in the Sahel, named Laklawa. The group executed 10 attacks and resulted in 74 fatalities, demonstrating a disturbing escalation from its prior limited activity. Globally, the landscape remains grim; Pakistan leads with 1,139 deaths, followed by Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali in the fifth position.
