Nigeria Moves Up Global Terrorism Ranking as Death Toll Hits Five-Year High

Nigeria has moved up to fourth place in the 2025 Global Terrorism Index (GTI), following a sharp increase in terrorist activity across the country.

The latest report, released by the Institute for Economics & Peace, shows that the number of attacks in Nigeria rose by 43 percent in 2025. A total of 171 incidents were recorded, up from 120 in 2024.

The ranking places Nigeria behind Pakistan in first position, Burkina Faso in second, and Niger Republic in third. Nigeria climbed two places from its sixth position in the previous year.

According to the report, the rise in attacks was accompanied by a 46 percent increase in deaths, reaching 750 in 2025—the highest toll recorded in the country since 2020. Injuries from terrorist incidents stood at 243 for the year.

The report attributes the majority of the violence to Islamic State West Africa Province and Boko Haram, which together accounted for about 80 percent of terrorism-related deaths.

Violence remained heavily concentrated in the northeastern region, particularly in Borno State, which recorded 67 percent of all attacks and 72 percent of total fatalities.

Civilians were the primary targets, making up 67 percent of those killed, while military personnel accounted for 19 percent. The report notes a steady shift toward increased targeting of civilians over the past five years.

Overall, Nigeria has recorded 12,581 deaths linked to terrorism since 2007, underscoring the prolonged impact of insurgency and internal conflict on the country’s security landscape.