Nigeria has ascended to the sixth position in the 2025 Global Terrorism Index (GTI) with a score of 7.658, marking a shift from its eighth-place ranking in 2023 and 2024. This ranking underscores the persistent security challenges in the nation.
Global Terrorism Rankings: Burkina Faso Tops the List
The latest GTI report, released on March 5, 2025, identified Burkina Faso as the country most impacted by terrorism, scoring 8.581. Other nations in the top five include Pakistan (8.374), Syria (8.006), Mali (7.907), and Niger (7.776). Nigeria follows closely behind, highlighting the ongoing instability in West Africa.
Rounding out the top ten most terrorism-affected countries are Somalia (7.614), Israel (7.463), Afghanistan (7.262), Cameroon (6.944), and Myanmar (6.929). Further rankings placed the Democratic Republic of the Congo (6.768), Iraq (6.582), India (6.410), Colombia (6.381), and Russia (6.267) in positions 11 through 16.
Rising Fatalities: 565 Killed in Nigeria in 2024
According to the GTI, terrorism-related deaths in Nigeria totaled 565 in 2024, reflecting a consistent rise over the past two years. The report noted that global terrorism deaths have declined by nearly a third since 2015, with Nigeria and Iraq recording the most significant reductions over time.
Nigeria’s terrorism fatalities peaked at 2,101 in 2014 before decreasing to 392 in 2022, the lowest since 2011. However, the number surged by 34% in 2023, reaching 533, and continued to rise in 2024 to 565 deaths.
IS-Sahel Expands Influence in West Africa
The report highlighted the increasing presence of IS-Sahel, a militant group extending its operations beyond the Liptako-Gourma region—comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—into countries such as Algeria, Benin, and Nigeria. In 2024, IS-Sahel was responsible for 16 attacks in Nigeria, alongside 12 in Niger, six in Mali, and one in Burkina Faso.
Furthermore, the number of nations impacted by at least one terrorist attack increased from 58 in 2023 to 66 in 2024, the highest recorded since 2018.
The Sahel Region: Global Epicenter of Terrorism
Terrorism remains a significant global threat, with shifting trends and increasing security challenges. The Sahel region accounted for 51% of all terrorism-related deaths in 2024, marking an almost tenfold increase since 2019. Fatalities linked to conflicts in the region exceeded 25,000, with 3,885 attributed specifically to terrorist incidents.
Among the ten most-affected nations, five are located in the Sahel. Although Burkina Faso remains the hardest-hit country, both its terrorist fatalities and attacks saw a decline in 2024—dropping by 21% and 57%, respectively. Despite this improvement, Burkina Faso still accounted for one-fifth of global terrorism deaths.
Niger’s Counterterrorism Setback
The findings also emphasized the fragile nature of counterterrorism advancements. Niger, for instance, recorded the highest increase in terrorism-related deaths globally in 2024, surging by 94% to 930 fatalities. This reversed the progress seen in 2022 when the country had one of the most significant improvements in terrorism impact. The report cautioned that the gains made in Burkina Faso might be temporary, considering the volatile nature of the region.
Conclusion: The Need for Stronger Counterterrorism Measures
With Nigeria now ranking sixth on the GTI, addressing the root causes of terrorism and enhancing security strategies remain crucial. As militant activities continue to evolve, coordinated international and regional efforts will be essential in mitigating the threats posed by extremist groups.
Institute for Economics and Peace
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