Dare Babalola
Insecurity remains a pressing challenge in Nigeria, with various states grappling with violent crimes, banditry, and insurgent attacks. As of 2025, the situation worsened in several regions, displacing communities and claiming countless lives. The relentless violence overwhelmed local authorities, drawing concerns about national security and the welfare of affected populations.
However, five states bore the brunt of insecurity in 2025 more than other Nigerian states: Borno, Plateau, Benue, Katsina, and Zamfara. These states faced a surge in insurgent activities, communal clashes, and organised crime, crippling economic activities and humanitarian efforts. The frequency and brutality of the attacks sparked fears and humanitarian crises in these regions.
Borno tops the list due to persistent threats from Boko Haram and ISWAP, while Plateau and Benue grapple with deadly farmer-herder conflicts and communal violence. Katsina and Zamfara, on the other hand, are hotspots for banditry and kidnappings, with rampant attacks on villages and highways. These trends underscore the complex security challenges confronting Nigeria.
The escalating insecurity drew calls for stronger government intervention, improved intelligence, and community-led peacebuilding initiatives. The impact of this insecurity on Nigeria’s development and social fabric remains a critical concern.
BORNO STATE
In 2025, Borno State faced threats from Boko Haram and ISWAP, with frequent attacks on civilians and military personnel.
In January 2025, Boko Haram executed over 40 farmers and fishermen in Dumba community, Borno State, with many more injured and missing.
In March 2025, Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters killed at least four soldiers and injured several others, including a brigade commander, in an attack on an Army base in Borno’s Wajiroko area.
In April 2025, Boko Haram and ISWAP attacks killed dozens of soldiers and civilians across Borno communities, prompting Governor Babagana Zulum to lament the situation, stating that Borno is losing ground to insurgents.
In October 2025, troops repelled Boko Haram/ISWAP attacks in Borno and Yobe, killing over 50 terrorists and recovering arms and ammunition.
In December 2025, troops ambushed a Boko Haram/ISWAP logistics convoy, neutralizing 21 terrorists and recovering items like bicycles, food, and medical supplies.
The situation remains volatile, with ongoing military operations to counter the insurgency.
PLATEAU STATE
Plateau State was plagued by communal clashes, violent crimes, and attacks on rural communities, resulting in significant loss of life. In 2025. 2,630 deaths were reported, with many more injured or displaced.
Some of the worst-affected areas include:
Bokkos LGA: Over 200 residents were killed in 2025 alone, with nine people killed in the Mushere area in May.
Mangu, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom LGAs: Attacks emptied entire villages, with fields torched and churches reduced to rubble.
Bassa LGA: Nearly 1,000 people were killed between January and early June 2025, with many communities attacked multiple times.
The violence is often linked to:
Farmer-herder clashes: Competition over land and resources.
Ethnic and religious tensions: Attacks reportedly targeting Christian populations.
Illegal mining and cattle rustling: Financing criminal activities.
The Plateau State Fact-Finding Committee attributed the violence to a mix of criminal exploitation, historical grievances, ethnic mistrust, and competition over land.
BENUE STATE
In 2025, Benue State was hit hard by insecurity, with a staggering 6,896 deaths reported in 2025, primarily due to attacks by suspected herders and kidnappings. These violent incidents did not only claimed lives but also displaced hundreds of thousands of people, with over 450,000 internally displaced.
The attacks are often brutal, with reports of entire communities being razed, and residents forced to flee for their lives. In one incident, suspected herders attacked the Mbamar community, killing two people and leaving several others injured or missing. The victims were visiting their ancestral home when the attack occurred.
The situation became so dire that 15 Catholic parishes in Makurdi Diocese were shut down due to the incessant attacks. Communities like Tse Orbiam, Ahume, and Yelewata have been particularly affected, with over 50 people killed, including women and children.
The attacks also had a significant economic impact, disrupting farming activities and food supplies in a region that is a major agricultural hub.
KATSINA STATE
For Katsina State, 2025 was tough as it faced bandit attacks with 294 killings and 306 abductions reported in 2025. These attacks targeted villages and roads, causing widespread insecurity. In one incident, bandits raided Maikuma village, killing four residents and abducting 43 others. Another attack in Layin Gara village resulted in two deaths and 16 kidnappings.
In July 2025, police foiled two kidnap attempts, rescuing 28 victims, but three people were killed.
In September 2025, bandits killed eight people, including a security officer, in Magaji Wando village. The Gidan Mantau massacre in August 2025 claimed over 50 lives, with 60 others abducted.
In November 2025, bandits killed two elders and abducted several residents in Doguwar Šorawa community.
The attacks disrupted farming activities, with some communities imposing levies on residents to access their farms.
ZAMFARA STATE
Zamfara State, in 2025, was plagued by bandit attacks, resulting in significant loss of life and insecurity. In 2025, there were reports of 273 killings and 467 abductions, with bandits controlling some areas and imposing levies.
In July 2025, bandits killed at least 6 people and abducted over 100 others, including women and children, in Kairu community.
In August 2025, bandits killed 11 people and abducted several others in Sabon Garin Damri, Bakura Local Government Area.
In December 2025, bandits killed 1 person and abducted 5 others in Fananawa village, Bukuyum Local Government Area.
The situation led to significant displacement, with over 720,115 people displaced between 2015 and 2022 according to reports. The attacks have also disrupted farming activities, exacerbating food insecurity and poverty.
