According to a PMNews report, Nigeria recorded 12,954 deaths from violent incidents in 2025, an increase from the 12,162 fatalities documented in 2024. These figures are drawn from the 15th Report on Violence in Nigeria, published by Nigeria Watch.
Read more: Nigeria experienced a surge in insecurity in 2025, with 12,954 violent deaths recorded across the country.The report indicates that between 2006 and 2025, a total of 222,137 people lost their lives in 46,182 violent incidents across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Compiled by Dr. Vitus Nwankwo Ukoji with support from Dr. Abiola Victoria Ayodokun, the report identifies insurgency, rural banditry, kidnapping, farmers-herders clashes, and security agency counter-operations as the primary drivers of violence in 2025.
Crime-related violence remained the leading cause of death, accounting for 47% of fatalities in 2025. Violence tied to political and religious issues made up 27%, while road accidents accounted for 13% of deaths.
Borno State saw the highest number of violent deaths in 2025, with 2,221 fatalities. Niger State followed with 1,438 deaths, Zamfara with 1,426, Benue with 811, and Katsina with 731. In contrast, Ekiti State was the most peaceful, recording just 23 deaths, followed by Bayelsa (44), Akwa Ibom (50), Cross River (62), and Abia (71).
The report notes that 81% of all violent deaths in 2025 occurred in Northern Nigeria, with the South accounting for 19%.
Rural banditry saw a sharp escalation, with deaths rising to 3,974 in 2025 from 1,452 in 2024. Zamfara State recorded the highest banditry-related fatalities, followed by Katsina, Niger, Kebbi, and Plateau. The number of states affected by rural banditry grew from nine in 2024 to sixteen in 2025, with Kwara State experiencing a major surge, particularly in Edu, Ekiti, Moro, Ifelodun, and Pategi LGAs.
One notable incident involved the killing of three worshippers and the abduction of 30 others from a Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara, on November 18, 2025; the hostages were released after five days.
Kidnapping-related deaths also surged, increasing from 425 in 2024 to 747 in 2025. Zamfara, Katsina, and Sokoto states reported the highest numbers. The report observed a shift in kidnapping patterns in some northern states, from ransom-driven abductions to organized raids and violent racketeering. Civilians made up 57% of kidnapping victims, while abductors accounted for 26% of deaths.
Fatalities from farmers-herders clashes also rose, reaching 1,015 in 2025, up from 567 in 2024. Benue State had the highest number of deaths in these conflicts, followed by Plateau and Kebbi. In Benue, Guma LGA alone accounted for 39% of fatalities, and Yelwata community saw more than 200 people killed in attacks between June 8 and 14, 2025.
Boko Haram insurgency and military counter-operations led to 2,454 deaths in 2025, with Borno State remaining the epicenter (2,197 deaths), and Adamawa and Yobe recording 118 and 21 fatalities, respectively. Insurgent attacks included suicide bombings, assaults on military installations, attacks on schools and churches, and the use of landmines.
The report also highlighted criminal gangs and government security forces as the two main actors in lethal violence in 2025. Criminal gangs were linked to 6,166 deaths, while government security forces were involved in incidents resulting in 5,438 fatalities.
Additionally, the report drew attention to Mahmuda, a Boko Haram splinter group affiliated with Ansaru, which expanded its operations into Kwara and Niger states through Kainji Lake National Park.
On road accidents, the report documented 1,614 deaths in 2025, a slight decrease from 1,672 in 2024. Niger State recorded the highest number of road accident fatalities, mainly due to tanker explosions, followed by Ogun and Kano states. One of the deadliest incidents occurred on January 18, 2025, when 98 people died while scooping fuel from a fallen petrol tanker at Diko Junction in Suleja LGA, Niger State.
The report further documented 256 deaths from ethno-communal violence across 21 states and the FCT in 2025, with Taraba recording the highest fatalities, followed by Ebonyi and Edo. Land disputes accounted for about 80% of communal violence incidents.
In terms of security ranking, Borno was identified as the most dangerous state in 2025, with 28.3 fatalities per 100,000 inhabitants, followed by Zamfara, Niger, Plateau, and Benue. Ekiti was ranked the safest, with 0.5 fatalities per 100,000 inhabitants.
