Global Terrorism Index: 565 killed in Nigeria in 2024, ranks 6th

Nigeria has recorded 565 terrorism-related deaths in 2024, highlighting an increase in fatalities over the past two years, according to the 2025 Global Terrorism Index.

The report also indicated that Nigeria ranked sixth in the 2025 Global Terrorism Index with a score of 7.658, moving up from eighth place in 2023 and 2024.

According to the 2025 report released on March 5, 2025, Burkina Faso topped the index with a score of 8.581, followed by Pakistan (8.374), Syria (8.006), Mali (7.907), and Niger (7.776), which ranked second to fifth, respectively.

Somalia (7.614), Israel (7.463), Afghanistan (7.262), Cameroon (6.944), Myanmar (6.929), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (6.768), Iraq (6.582), India (6.410), Colombia (6.381), and Russia (6.267) ranked seventh to sixteenth.

“Globally, deaths from terrorism have declined by almost a third since the peak in 2015, with Iraq and Nigeria recording the largest decreases. Deaths in Nigeria peaked at 2,101 in 2014, before dropping to 392 in 2022, the lowest level since 2011. However, fatalities increased by 34 percent in 2023 to 533, and further to 565 in 2024.”

The report also noted that IS-Sahel, primarily active in the Liptako-Gourma region—the tri-border area of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—has extended its activities to Algeria, Benin, and Nigeria. In 2024, the group carried out 16 attacks in Nigeria, 12 in Niger, six in Mali, and one in Burkina Faso.

Additionally, the number of countries affected by at least one terrorist attack increased from 58 to 66, the highest number since 2018.

“Terrorism remains a persistent global threat, with 2024 marking another year of shifting patterns and evolving challenges. More countries experienced a deterioration in security, with 45 reporting an increased impact from terrorism, while only 34 saw improvements—the first time in seven years that more nations worsened than improved.”

The Sahel region has become the global epicenter of terrorism, accounting for 51 percent of all terrorism-related deaths in 2024, a nearly tenfold increase since 2019. Overall, conflict-related deaths in the region surpassed 25,000 for the first time since the inception of the index, with 3,885 deaths attributed to terrorism.

“Five of the ten countries most impacted by terrorism are in the Sahel. Although Burkina Faso remains the most affected country, both deaths and attacks declined in 2024—falling by 21 percent and 57 percent, respectively. However, the country still accounted for one-fifth of all terrorism deaths globally.”

The report also highlighted the fragility of counterterrorism progress, citing Niger as an example.

“Niger recorded the largest increase in terrorism-related deaths globally in 2024, surging by 94 percent to 930 fatalities. This reversed the progress seen in 2022 when the country recorded the second-largest improvement in terrorism impact. The case of Niger suggests that the gains made in Burkina Faso may be temporary.”