Borno Attacks Among Deadliest As Nigeria Ranks 4th In Global Terrorism Index

Nigeria has recorded one of the sharpest increases in terrorism-related fatalities globally, despite a significant drop in terror deaths worldwide, the 2026 Global Terrorism Index has revealed.

The report, published by the Institute for Economics & Peace, showed that fatalities in Nigeria rose by 46 per cent in 2025, highlighting worsening insecurity in parts of the country.

According to the report, “Nigeria recorded the largest increase in 2025, with fatalities rising by 46 per cent to 750.”

It attributed the majority of the killings to extremist groups, noting that “Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram were responsible for 80 per cent of all terrorism deaths in the country.”

The GTI stressed that terrorism remains concentrated in a handful of countries, with Nigeria ranking among the most affected globally.

It stated that “just under 70 per cent of deaths from terrorism occurred in only five countries: Pakistan, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Niger, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”

The report further noted that “Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo had the largest increases in deaths from terrorism, with rises of 237 deaths and 102 deaths, respectively.”

Borno Attacks Among Deadliest Globally

Nigeria also recorded two of the 20 most fatal terrorist attacks in 2025, both of which occurred in Borno State.

Detailing one of the incidents, the report said, “Gunmen attacked the village of Darajamal, Bama local government area, Borno State, on September 5, 2025, killing 58 villagers and 5 soldiers.”

It added, “30 of the gunmen were reportedly killed by the Nigerian army after the attack,” although no group officially claimed responsibility.

The report, however, noted that local media attributed the attack to ISWAP.

In another incident, it stated that “jihadists attacked the neighbouring villages of Mallam Karamti and Kwatandashi in Kukawa local government area, Borno State.”

“According to local press reports, approximately one hundred civilians were rounded up and taken into the forest, with fifty-seven bodies later recovered and seventy individuals still missing,” it added, linking the assault to Boko Haram’s JAS faction.

Despite Nigeria’s troubling figures, the report recorded a significant global improvement in terrorism trends.

“Deaths from terrorism fell by 28 per cent to 5,582, and incidents decreased by 22 per cent to 2,944, marking the lowest figures since 2007,” the GTI stated.

However, it warned that the decline was uneven, with Western countries witnessing a spike.

“Western terrorism fatalities rose sharply by 280 per cent to 57 in 2025, largely driven by antisemitism, Islamophobia and political terrorism,” the report added.

Naija News reports that Nigeria ranked 8th in Global Terrorism Index report for 2024.

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The GTI identified Sub-Saharan Africa as the global hub of terrorism, noting that six of the 10 most affected countries are located in the region.

For the first time, Pakistan ranked as the most impacted country, recording 1,139 deaths and 1,045 incidents, its highest level since 2013.

The report also raised concerns over increasing youth involvement in terrorism.

It stated that investigations linked to youth radicalisation have tripled since 2021, while “93 per cent of all fatal attacks in Western countries were carried out by lone actors.”

Globally, the Islamic State and its affiliates remained the deadliest network, responsible for just under 17 per cent of all attacks in 2025.

Other groups contributing significantly to global fatalities include Jamaat Nusrat Al-Islam wal Muslimeen, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, and al-Shabaab.

Highlighting changing dynamics, the report noted that terrorism is becoming more concentrated around border areas.

It stated that “over 76 per cent of attacks occurred within 100 kilometres of an international border in 2025, up from just under 60 per cent in 2007.”

While improvements were recorded in 81 countries, the highest since 2021, the report warned that rising geopolitical tensions could reverse recent gains.

It cautioned that escalating conflicts, particularly in the Middle East, may fuel further instability and spread terrorism across regions.

The report stressed that despite global progress, the sharp rise in countries like Nigeria underscores the urgent need for stronger counter-terrorism measures and sustained international collaboration.