Banditry, insurgency, kidnapping push Nigeria to 12,954 deaths in 2025 – Report

Nigeria recorded a total of 12,954 deaths from violent incidents in 2025, marking an increase from 12,162 fatalities documented in 2024, according to the 15th Report on Violence in Nigeria released by Nigeria Watch.

The report further revealed that 222,137 people have been killed in 46,182 violent incidents across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) between 2006 and 2025, underscoring the long-running scale of insecurity in the country.

Compiled by Dr. Vitus Nwankwo Ukoji with support from Dr. Abiola Victoria Ayodokun, the report identified insurgency, rural banditry, kidnapping, farmers–herders clashes, and security force counter-operations as the major drivers of violence in 2025.

According to the executive summary, crime-related violence accounted for 47 per cent of all deaths recorded in 2025, making it the single largest contributor to fatalities nationwide.

Political and religious violence accounted for 27 per cent, while road accidents contributed 13 per cent of total deaths during the year.

The report also highlighted a widening regional imbalance, with 81 per cent of violent deaths recorded in Northern Nigeria, while the South accounted for 19 per cent.

Borno State recorded the highest number of deaths in 2025 with 2,221 fatalities, followed by Niger (1,438), Zamfara (1,426), Benue (811), and Katsina (731).

In contrast, Ekiti State emerged as the most peaceful state in the country, with only 23 deaths recorded. It was followed by Bayelsa (44), Akwa Ibom (50), Cross River (62), and Abia (71).

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The report documented a significant escalation in rural banditry, with fatalities rising to 3,974 in 2025 from 1,452 in 2024. The number of affected states also increased from nine to 16.

Zamfara, Katsina, Niger, Kebbi, and Plateau recorded the highest number of deaths linked to bandit attacks.

Kwara State also experienced a surge in violence, particularly in Edu, Ekiti, Moro, Ifelodun, and Pategi LGAs. A notable incident occurred on November 18, 2025, when three worshippers were killed and 30 abducted in an attack on a Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku. The victims were later released after several days in captivity.

Kidnapping-related fatalities increased to 747 in 2025, up from 425 in 2024. Zamfara, Katsina, and Sokoto recorded the highest tolls.

The report noted a shift in kidnapping patterns in some northern states, with abductions increasingly evolving from ransom-driven operations to more violent, organised raids.

Civilians accounted for 57 per cent of victims, while 26 per cent of those killed were identified as abductors

Violence linked to farmers–herders clashes also intensified, with fatalities rising to 1,015 in 2025 from 567 in 2024.

Benue State recorded the highest deaths, followed by Plateau and Kebbi. In Benue, Guma Local Government Area alone accounted for 39 per cent of fatalities from such clashes, including a major attack in Yelwata community where over 200 people were reportedly killed between June 8 and 14, 2025.

Borno State remained the epicentre of insurgency-related violence, recording 2,197 deaths, while Adamawa and Yobe recorded 118 and 21 deaths respectively.

The report noted continued use of suicide bombings, raids on military formations, attacks on schools and places of worship, as well as landmine explosions by insurgents.

Nigeria Watch identified criminal gangs and government security forces as the two leading drivers of lethal violence in 2025.

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Criminal gangs were linked to 6,166 deaths, while operations involving security agencies accounted for 5,438 fatalities.

The report also highlighted the growing activities of a splinter faction known as Mahmuda, linked to Boko Haram and allegedly affiliated with Ansaru, which expanded operations into Kwara and Niger States through the Kainji Lake National Park corridor.

Niger State recorded the highest number of road accident fatalities, largely due to tanker explosions, followed by Ogun and Kano States. A major tragedy occurred on January 18, 2025, when about 98 people died while scooping fuel from a fallen tanker at Diko Junction in Suleja, Niger State.

Ethno-communal violence also claimed 256 lives across 21 states and the FCT, with Taraba, Ebonyi, and Edo recording the highest figures. Land disputes accounted for about 80 per cent of these conflicts.

Based on fatalities per 100,000 inhabitants, Borno State was ranked the most dangerous in Nigeria in 2025 with 28.3 deaths, followed by Zamfara, Niger, Plateau, and Benue.

The report presents a bleak picture of Nigeria’s security situation in 2025, highlighting expanding violence from insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and communal clashes, alongside increasing concerns over civilian displacement and nationwide insecurity challenges.