Nigeria’s Global Terrorism Ranking: Between Myths and Realities
By Mukhtar Ya’u Madobi
On March 5, 2025, the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP) released its 2024 Global Terrorism Index (GTI) Report, offering a comprehensive analysis of global terrorism trends over the past year.
The report evaluates key indicators such as the number of terrorism incidents, fatalities, injuries, and hostage situations, providing a snapshot of the global security landscape.
According to the latest GTI ranking, Nigeria is listed as the sixth most terrorism-affected country globally, trailing Burkina Faso, Pakistan, Syria, Mali, and Niger. With a GTI score of 7.658, Nigeria’s position has worsened compared to its eighth-place ranking in 2023, when the country recorded 565 terrorism-related deaths.
The report highlights the Sahel region as the epicenter of global terrorism, accounting for over half of all terrorism-related deaths worldwide. The Islamic State (IS) was identified as the deadliest terrorist organization, responsible for 1,805 deaths across 22 countries, with 71% of its activities concentrated in Syria and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Meanwhile, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) emerged as the fastest-growing terrorist group, with a 90% increase in attributed deaths.
However, the Nigerian Military High Command has strongly contested Nigeria’s placement in the GTI ranking. Military authorities argue that the country’s sustained counterterrorism efforts have significantly weakened non-state actors, leading to a notable decline in terrorism-related incidents. The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, dismissed the GTI ranking during a media briefing, asserting that military reports provide a more accurate reflection of Nigeria’s security situation than external assessments.
For instance, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC-ONSA), highlighted that Nigeria recorded a 16.3% decrease in kidnapping-for-ransom incidents in 2024. While acknowledging that kidnapping remains a challenge, he emphasized that security forces have successfully disrupted criminal networks involved in ransom-related crimes.
Read Also:
The Nigerian Military’s 2024 report underscores significant achievements in counterterrorism operations. Over the past year, troops deployed across various operations eliminated 10,937 terrorists, arrested 12,538 suspects, and rescued 7,063 hostages. Additionally, 16,171 terrorist combatants and their families surrendered, marking a considerable degradation of insurgent capabilities. The military also recovered 8,815 weapons and 228,004 rounds of ammunition, while disrupting oil theft operations that could have cost the nation an estimated N68.4 billion.
In the North-East, where Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgency remains most pronounced, troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralized 3,151 terrorists, arrested 2,503 suspects, and rescued 1,605 kidnapped victims. Similarly, in the North-West, which has been plagued by banditry, Operation Hadarin Daji eliminated 2,906 terrorists, arrested 1,826 suspects, and rescued 2,616 hostages.
The Nigerian Police Force also played a pivotal role in internal security. Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun reported that 30,313 suspected criminals were arrested nationwide in 2024. Law enforcement officers rescued 1,581 kidnapped victims and recovered 1,984 firearms along with 23,250 rounds of ammunition.
Building on these successes, the Nigerian Military has carried its momentum into 2025, continuing its offensive against insurgents, bandits, and secessionist militants. High-profile terrorist commanders have been neutralized, and criminal enclaves destroyed. Security forces have also improved the rate of victim rescues and reunifications with families.
While the GTI report underscores Nigeria’s lingering security challenges, it is evident that the country’s counterterrorism efforts are yielding tangible results. Through continued military offensives, intelligence-driven policing, and community engagement, Nigeria can further weaken terrorist networks and improve its security landscape. A coordinated approach involving security forces, government authorities, and local communities remains crucial to decisively curtailing terrorism.
With sustained efforts, there is hope that Nigeria will soon bid farewell to the scourge of terrorism within its borders. The progress made thus far demonstrates that, while challenges remain, the country is on the right path toward achieving lasting peace and security.
Mukhtar Ya’u Madobi is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Crisis Communication. He can be reached via: [email protected]
