Nigeria has moved up to sixth place in the 2025 Global Terrorism Index, scoring 7.658, according to a report released on March 5, 2025. This marks a concerning rise from its previous ranking of eighth in both 2023 and 2024.
Burkina Faso tops the index with a score of 8.581, followed by Pakistan (8.374), Syria (8.006), Mali (7.907), and Niger (7.776). Other highly ranked nations include Somalia (7.614), Israel (7.463), Afghanistan (7.262), and Cameroon (6.944), among others.
Rising Terrorism-Related Deaths in Nigeria
The report recorded 565 terrorism-related deaths in Nigeria in 2024, reflecting an increase over the past two years.
“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.”
IS-Sahel Expands Operations
The report highlights the increasing activity of IS-Sahel, particularly in the Liptako-Gourma region—a border area shared by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. The group has also expanded its reach into Algeria, Benin, and Nigeria.
In 2024, IS-Sahel was responsible for:
- 16 attacks in Nigeria
- 12 attacks in Niger
- Six attacks in Mali
- One attack in Burkina Faso
Growing Global Terrorism Threat
The number of countries experiencing at least one terrorist attack rose from 58 to 66 in 2024, the highest 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: Global Terrorism Epicenter
The Sahel region accounted for 51% of all terrorism-related deaths in 2024, nearly ten times the number recorded in 2019. The report states that conflict-related deaths in the region surpassed 25,000 for the first time, with 3,885 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.”
Niger’s Counterterrorism Challenges
The report also highlights the instability of counterterrorism progress, using 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.”
