Nigeria has emerged as the fourth most terror‑affected country in the world in 2025, ranking ahead of Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan, according to the 2026 Global Terrorism Index (GTI) published by the Institute for Economics and Peace.
The report shows that Nigeria recorded the highest number of terror deaths and attacks in the Sahel region last year. Across Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Pakistan, nearly 70% of global terror fatalities occurred in 2025.
Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram were responsible for the majority of violence in Nigeria, accounting for 80% of deaths and incidents. Fatalities in the country rose 46% from the previous year, reaching 750, marking the largest increase globally.
“Of all terrorism-related deaths worldwide, just under 70% occurred in five countries: Pakistan, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Niger, and the DRC,” the report said. “Nigeria is the only Sahel nation to see an increase in both fatalities and attacks in 2025.”
The index further revealed that 237 more people died from terrorism in Nigeria than in 2024, while 243 were injured and 171 incidents were recorded. The surge is linked to both ideological and criminal violence, with civilians being the main victims, representing 67% of fatalities. Military personnel accounted for around 19%.
Terror attacks continue to escalate in the country’s Northeast. Just last Monday, a triple improvised explosive device (IED) attack in Maiduguri, Borno, killed 23 people.
Nigeria has featured on the Global Terrorism Index every year since 2011, highlighting the persistent threat from Boko Haram, ISWAP, and other extremist groups. The increase in Islamic State activity in 2025 led to US-backed strikes targeting ISWAP in northwestern Nigeria.
