Nigeria Rises to Fourth Most Terror-Affected Country as Attacks, Deaths Surge — Report
Nigeria’s security challenges deepened in 2025, with new data indicating a sharp increase in both terrorist attacks and related deaths.
According to the 2026 Global Terrorism Index, Nigeria rose two places to fourth position globally, reflecting a significant escalation in terrorist activity.
“Terror attacks in Nigeria increased by 43 per cent, from 120 incidents in 2024 to 171 in 2025,” the report stated.
It added that “deaths from terrorism rose by 46 per cent to 750 in 2025, marking the highest toll since 2020.”
The report attributed much of the violence to familiar groups, including Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram, which together account for 80 per cent of terrorism-related deaths in the country.
Their activities remain heavily concentrated in the North-East, particularly in Borno State.
“Terrorist activity was heavily concentrated in Borno, which recorded 67 per cent of attacks and 72 per cent of deaths in 2025,” the report noted.
In contrast to neighbouring countries in sub-Saharan Africa, where five Sahel nations recorded declines in both incidents and fatalities, Nigeria was the only country in the region to experience increases in both categories.
The report further highlighted a sustained upward trend, noting that Nigeria has recorded a steady rise in terrorism-related deaths since 2022, with 237 more fatalities in 2025 than in 2024.
This trend is driven by a combination of ideological and criminal violence, alongside a surge in Islamic State (IS) activity. IS-linked attacks rose sharply from 20 in 2024 to 92 in 2025.
Globally, terrorism remains concentrated in a few countries. Burkina Faso, Pakistan, Nigeria, Niger, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo accounted for 70 per cent of total fatalities.
While countries such as Burkina Faso and Niger recorded significant declines in deaths, Nigeria registered the largest increase, with fatalities rising by 237 in 2025.
Despite sustained counter-terrorism efforts, Nigeria continues to rank among the world’s most affected countries, alongside Pakistan and Somalia, underscoring persistent challenges in addressing insecurity.
