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Nigeria has climbed to sixth place in the 2025 Global Terrorism Index (GTI) with a score of 7.658, marking an increase from eighth place in 2023 and 2024. The report, released on March 5, 2025, underscores the persistent security challenges facing the country.

Top 10 Most Affected Countries

Burkina Faso remains the most impacted country with a GTI score of 8.581, followed by:

1. Pakistan (8.374)
2. Syria (8.006)
3. Mali (7.907)
4. Niger (7.776)
5. Nigeria (7.658)
6. Somalia (7.614)
7. Israel (7.463)
8. Afghanistan (7.262)
9. Cameroon (6.944)
10. Myanmar (6.929)

Terrorism Death Toll in Nigeria

According to the GTI, global terrorism-related deaths have declined by nearly a third since their peak in 2015. However, Nigeria has seen a concerning rise in fatalities over the past two years:

• 2014: 2,101 deaths (peak)
• 2022: 392 deaths (lowest since 2011)
• 2023: 533 deaths (34% increase)
• 2024: 565 deaths (further rise)

IS-Sahel Expansion and Growing Threat in West Africa

The report highlights the increasing influence of IS-Sahel, which is primarily active in the Liptako-Gourma region, spanning Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. The group has expanded operations into Algeria, Benin, and Nigeria. In 2024, it was responsible for:

• 16 attacks in Nigeria
• 12 attacks in Niger
• 6 attacks in Mali
• 1 attack in Burkina Faso

Sahel Region: The Global Epicenter of Terrorism

The Sahel now accounts for 51% of global terrorism-related deaths, a nearly tenfold increase since 2019. Conflict-related deaths in the region surpassed 25,000 for the first time since the index was created, with 3,885 fatalities directly linked to terrorism.

Niger: A Case Study in Fragile Security Progress

Niger experienced the largest increase in terrorism-related deaths globally in 2024, with fatalities surging by 94% to 930 deaths. This surge reversed the country’s 2022 progress when it had recorded the second-largest improvement in global terrorism impact.

The Global Shift in Terrorism Trends

The 2025 GTI notes that more countries are experiencing worsening security conditions:

• 45 countries reported an increased impact from terrorism
• 34 countries saw improvements
• The number of nations affected by at least one terrorist attack rose from 58 to 66, the highest since 2018

Conclusion

While Iraq and Nigeria have seen significant reductions in terrorism deaths since their peaks, the persistent rise in recent years signals ongoing security threats. The expanding reach of terrorist groups like IS-Sahel further complicates counterterrorism efforts in Nigeria and the broader West African region.