According to a new report by Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited (BSIL), Nigeria's rising insecurity is being fuelled by relentless attacks from non-state armed groups—including insurgents, bandits, and violent herders—especially in the North-West, North-East, and North-Central regions.
The Nigeria Security Report, covering January to June 2025, revealed a staggering 6,800 fatalities nationwide. This marks a 13.67 per cent increase compared to the last half of 2024 and a 19.11 per cent rise year-on-year, painting a grim picture of escalating violence across the country.
Zamfara emerged as the epicentre of this bloodshed, recording 1,088 deaths—the highest in the country—and also topping the national kidnap chart with 1,755 abductions within the six-month period.
Overall, 5,402 people were abducted nationwide during the reporting window. While this shows a slight 2.4 per cent decrease from the previous half-year, it represents a worrisome 30.43 per cent rise compared to the same period in 2024.
The North-Central states—particularly Niger, Benue, Plateau, and Kwara—have also seen a surge in violence, driven by a combination of communal clashes, targeted attacks on rural settlements, and kidnapping for ransom. BSIL attributed much of the chaos in the region to escalating farmer-herder clashes.
In the second quarter of 2025 alone, fatalities rose to 3,499, up from 3,301 recorded in the first quarter. On the other hand, kidnappings dropped slightly to 2,540 from 2,862.
June 2025 offered a brief moment of relief, with reported security incidents dropping by 48.04 per cent compared to May. Abductions also fell sharply by 74.59 per cent. However, civilian deaths still accounted for more than 72 per cent of all fatalities in that month.