Nigeria Records 12,954 Violent Deaths in 2025 as Security Crisis Deepens – Report

Nigeria has recorded 12,954 violent deaths in 2025, reflecting a continued deterioration in the country’s security situation, according to the latest Nigeria Watch Report on Violence in Nigeria.

The figure represents an increase from 12,162 deaths recorded in 2024, underscoring a rising trend of insecurity driven by insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, communal clashes and security operations across the country.

The report, released by Nigeria Watch and compiled by Dr Vitus Nwankwo Ukoji and Dr Abiola Victoria Ayodokun, revealed that 222,137 people have been killed in 46,182 violent incidents nationwide between 2006 and 2025.

It identified crime-related violence as the leading cause of deaths in 2025, accounting for 47 per cent of fatalities, followed by political and religious violence at 27 per cent, while road accidents contributed 13 per cent.

Northern Nigeria remained the most affected region, accounting for about 81 per cent of total violent deaths, compared to 19 per cent in the southern part of the country.

State-by-state data showed that Borno State recorded the highest fatalities in 2025 with 2,221 deaths, followed by Niger (1,438), Zamfara (1,426), Benue (811), and Katsina (731). Ekiti State was ranked the most peaceful with only 23 recorded deaths.

The report also highlighted a sharp escalation in rural banditry, which rose from 1,452 deaths in 2024 to 3,974 in 2025. Zamfara, Katsina, Niger, Kebbi and Plateau states were identified as the worst-hit areas.

Kidnapping-related deaths also increased significantly from 425 in 2024 to 747 in 2025, with victims largely comprising civilians, who accounted for 57 per cent of fatalities.

The report noted a worrying shift in kidnapping patterns in some northern states, where abductions are increasingly turning into violent raids and organised attacks rather than ransom-driven operations.

Farmers–herders clashes also intensified during the year, with fatalities rising to 1,015 from 567 in 2024. Benue State recorded the highest number of deaths linked to the crisis, particularly in Guma Local Government Area, where repeated attacks left hundreds dead.

Boko Haram insurgency and military counter-operations were responsible for 2,454 deaths in 2025, with Borno State remaining the epicentre of violence.

The report further stated that criminal gangs and government security forces were the major actors involved in deadly incidents, linked to 6,166 and 5,438 deaths respectively.

It also drew attention to the expansion of a Boko Haram splinter group, Mahmuda, which has reportedly extended operations into parts of Kwara and Niger states.

Road accidents claimed 1,614 lives in 2025, while ethno-communal violence accounted for 256 deaths across several states, driven largely by land disputes.

Nigeria Watch ranked Borno State as the most dangerous state in the country, with 28.3 fatalities per 100,000 residents, while Ekiti State emerged as the safest with a rate of 0.5 per 100,000.

The report paints a grim picture of Nigeria’s evolving security landscape, highlighting persistent threats across multiple fronts and raising fresh concerns over the effectiveness of ongoing security interventions.