The year 2024 witnessed a grim surge in terrorism-related fatalities in Nigeria, despite a notable decrease in the overall number of attacks. Five devastating incidents within the nation’s borders earned a place among the world’s 50 deadliest terrorist attacks, as documented by the 2025 Global Terrorism Index. These attacks, concentrated in the volatile regions of Yobe and Borno states, underscore the persistent threat posed by extremist groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). While the frequency of attacks diminished, the escalating lethality of these incidents paints a stark picture of the evolving security challenges facing Nigeria.
The deadliest of these Nigerian tragedies unfolded on September 1, 2024, in Yobe State. A brutal assault orchestrated by Boko Haram claimed the lives of 100 individuals, making it the seventh most devastating terrorist attack globally in 2024. This incident highlights Boko Haram’s enduring capacity for violence despite sustained counterterrorism efforts. Just months prior, on April 24th, Borno State was the scene of another horrific attack, this time attributed to ISWAP. The ensuing carnage resulted in 85 fatalities, ranking it as the ninth deadliest terrorist incident worldwide. These two attacks alone accounted for a significant portion of the total terrorism-related deaths in Nigeria throughout the year.
The Global Terrorism Index further details three additional attacks in Nigeria that contributed to the nation’s grim tally. On September 1st, coinciding with the devastating Boko Haram attack in Yobe, ISWAP launched a separate assault in the same state, claiming the lives of 37 people. This attack ranked 24th globally. Borno State was again targeted on May 26th, with a jihadist attack resulting in 30 fatalities, securing the 30th spot on the global index. Finally, on June 29th, another attack in Borno, perpetrated by an unidentified jihadist group, claimed another 30 lives, ranking 33rd. The recurring nature of these attacks emphasizes the urgent need for enhanced security measures and counter-terrorism strategies in these vulnerable regions.
While Nigeria grappled with these devastating attacks, other regions across the globe also faced the scourge of terrorism. The single most lethal incident of 2024 occurred in Tahoua, Niger, on July 21st. A horrific armed assault by jihadists resulted in the staggering loss of 237 lives, eclipsing the death tolls of all other terrorist attacks that year. The Sahel region, in particular, emerged as a hotbed of terrorist activity, with Burkina Faso suffering multiple large-scale attacks attributed to Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM). These attacks, along with others in Russia and Niger, underscore the global reach of terrorism and the multifaceted nature of this complex threat.
The 2025 Global Terrorism Index reveals a concerning trend in Nigeria: despite a 37% reduction in the number of terrorist attacks, deaths from terrorism increased by 6% in 2024, reaching a total of 565 fatalities. This marks the highest death toll since 2020 and highlights the increasing lethality of the attacks perpetrated by groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP. This paradoxical situation, where fewer attacks result in more deaths, suggests a shift in tactics employed by these extremist groups, potentially focusing on larger-scale, more impactful assaults.
The surge in fatalities can be further attributed to the ongoing conflict between ISWAP and Boko Haram. The rivalry between these two groups has intensified the violence and contributed significantly to the overall death toll. Furthermore, a disturbing shift in targeting has emerged, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence. In 2024, civilians accounted for 62% of all terrorism-related deaths in Nigeria, a dramatic increase from 21% in 2023. This alarming trend underscores the vulnerability of civilian populations caught in the crossfire of this ongoing conflict. In contrast, the proportion of deaths among terrorists and militants decreased from 38% in 2023 to 15% in 2024, suggesting a possible shift towards targeting civilian populations. This alarming trend necessitates a reevaluation of security strategies to better protect vulnerable communities and mitigate the devastating impact of terrorism on civilian lives.
