Nigeria has risen to fourth place in the 2025 Global Terrorism Index (GTI), following a sharp escalation in terrorist activities across the country, according to a new report by the Institute for Economics & Peace.

The report indicates that terrorist attacks in Nigeria increased by 43 percent in 2025, with 171 incidents recorded compared to 120 in 2024. This surge has pushed the country up two places from its previous sixth position.

Nigeria now ranks behind Pakistan, Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic, which occupy the top three positions on the index.

According to the findings, the majority of attacks were carried out by Islamic State West Africa Province and Boko Haram, with both groups accounting for 80 percent of terrorism-related deaths in the country.

The report further highlights a growing human toll, with fatalities rising by 46 percent to 750 deaths in 2025—the highest level recorded since 2020. In addition, 243 people were injured in the attacks, bringing the total number of terrorism-related deaths in Nigeria since 2007 to 12,581.

Geographically, violence remained heavily concentrated in Borno State, which accounted for 67 percent of all attacks and 72 percent of total deaths recorded during the year.

Civilians continued to bear the brunt of the violence, representing 67 percent of those killed, while military personnel accounted for 19 percent. The report notes a sustained shift toward increased targeting of civilians over the past five years.

The GTI attributes the worsening security situation to ongoing internal instability and intensified clashes between ISWAP and Boko Haram, underscoring persistent challenges in counterterrorism efforts across Nigeria.

The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, has called for a strategic shift in Nigeria’s fight against insecurity, urging authorities to complement military operations with sustained investments in human capital development and social cohesion.

In his Eid al-Fitr message to Muslims across the country, Bamidele congratulated Nigerians on the successful completion of Ramadan, describing the holy month as a period marked by sacrifice, reflection, charity, and devotion to God.

He noted that the lessons of Ramadan—tolerance, compassion, and self-discipline—should guide both individual conduct and government policies, particularly at a time of global uncertainty and domestic security challenges.

The Senate Leader referenced recent security incidents, including bomb explosions in Maiduguri, which resulted in loss of lives and injuries, stressing that such tragedies underscore the urgent need for a more comprehensive approach to national security.

While commending Nigeria’s defence, intelligence, and security agencies for their resilience, Bamidele emphasised that reliance on military force alone—often described as a kinetic approach—cannot guarantee lasting peace.

“Time and experience have shown that kinetic operations alone cannot guarantee the peace and stability of our nation,” he stated.

He therefore advocated a broader, multi-dimensional strategy that addresses the root causes of violent extremism.

According to him, religious leaders must promote tolerance and desist from teachings that could incite radicalisation, while socio-cultural leaders should prioritise dialogue in resolving inter-ethnic conflicts rather than resorting to violence.

Bamidele also highlighted the role of subnational governments, noting that the fight against insecurity is not solely the responsibility of the federal government. He urged state governments to prioritise human capital development by investing in education, healthcare, nutrition, and social protection systems.

He added that creating opportunities for innovation and creativity among young people would help reduce vulnerability to extremist ideologies.

At the legislative level, the Senate Leader disclosed that the National Assembly is pursuing a multi-pronged approach to strengthen national security and development.

He revealed that the Senate has constituted an ad-hoc committee on a National Security Summit aimed at identifying the root causes of insecurity across the country. He also pointed to the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution, which he said would include amendments to grant subnational governments greater authority in managing security within their jurisdictions.

Bamidele reaffirmed the commitment of the National Assembly to enacting laws that support the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.

He concluded by extending warm Eid al-Fitr wishes to Muslims nationwide, urging Nigerians to embody the values of peace, unity, and mutual respect beyond the Ramadan season.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for deeper security cooperation with the United Kingdom to combat rising terrorism threats and strengthen regional stability across West Africa.

Speaking at a state banquet at Windsor Castle, Tinubu warned that the growing influence of extremist groups operating from the Sahel poses significant risks to Nigeria and neighbouring countries.

He stressed that Nigeria bears a “major responsibility” in maintaining stability in the region and requires sustained international partnerships to address evolving security challenges, including cross-border insurgency and terrorism financing.

The President noted that intelligence sharing, counterterrorism coordination, and capacity building would be key areas of collaboration in his upcoming talks with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Tinubu also highlighted the longstanding strategic ties between Nigeria and the UK, particularly in governance, institutional development, and defense cooperation. He said the partnership remains critical in addressing modern security threats that transcend national borders.

While acknowledging historical links through the Commonwealth of Nations, Tinubu emphasized that current realities demand a stronger, security-focused alliance to counter instability emanating from the Sahel region.

Despite ongoing threats, the President expressed confidence in Nigeria’s resilience, reaffirming the country’s commitment to working with global partners to ensure peace, security, and sustainable development in West Africa.