Nigeria Climbs to Fourth Most Terror-Affected Nation as Attacks Surge 43%
Nigeria's security situation deteriorated alarmingly in 2025, with the country now ranking as the fourth most terror-affected nation globally according to the newly released Global Terrorism Index 2026. The comprehensive report documents a disturbing escalation in both terrorist activity and resulting fatalities across the African nation.
Sharp Increases in Attacks and Fatalities
The data reveals that terrorist attacks in Nigeria increased by a staggering 43 percent during 2025, rising from 120 documented incidents in 2024 to 171 separate attacks. Even more concerning, deaths linked to terrorism surged by 46 percent to reach 750 fatalities, marking the highest death toll recorded since 2020. This represents an increase of 237 additional lives lost compared to the previous year alone.
Extremist Groups Driving Violence
Much of this escalating violence continues to be perpetrated by extremist organizations, with Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram remaining particularly active. Together, these two groups accounted for approximately 80 percent of all terrorism-related deaths throughout Nigeria during the reporting period.
A key development highlighted in the report is the rapid expansion of ISIS-affiliated activity. Attacks attributed to groups linked to the Islamic State jumped dramatically from just 20 incidents in 2024 to 92 separate attacks in 2025, indicating a significant growth in operational capacity and organizational reach.
Geographic Concentration in Northeast
The impact of terrorism remains heavily concentrated in northeastern Nigeria, with Borno State continuing to serve as the epicenter of insurgent activity. This single region alone recorded 67 percent of all terrorist attacks nationwide and accounted for 72 percent of total terrorism-related deaths during 2025.
Unlike several neighboring countries in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly within the Sahel region where both attacks and fatalities declined, Nigeria stood out as the only nation in the region to experience increases in both categories simultaneously.
Regional and Global Context
Globally, terrorism remains concentrated in a limited number of countries, with Nigeria now listed alongside Burkina Faso, Pakistan, Niger, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo as accounting for 70 percent of worldwide terrorism deaths. While countries like Burkina Faso and Niger recorded significant declines in fatalities, Nigeria experienced the largest increase among major affected nations.
This escalation forms part of a broader trend, with terrorism-related deaths in Nigeria steadily rising since 2022 despite years of military operations and counterterrorism efforts. The country continues to rank among the world's most affected nations, alongside countries such as Pakistan and Somalia, highlighting the persistent and evolving challenge of insurgency that continues to threaten national stability.
