Nigeria’s deepening security crisis came into sharp focus over the past four weeks, with no fewer than 137 terror and kidnapping incidents recorded across 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), highlighting the widening spread of violence across the country.

Data compiled from across the states shows that Borno, Benue, and Ondo emerged as the worst hit, accounting for some of the deadliest attacks and highest number of incidents within the period under review.

From coordinated insurgent assaults in the North-East to mass killings in the North-Central and a surge in kidnappings in the South-West, the pattern reflects a crisis that is no longer confined to any one region.

Findings also show that only Nasarawa and Jigawa states recorded no incidents during the period, offering a rare contrast in an otherwise widespread wave of violence.

The recent surge aligns with broader national trends. According to the Global Terrorism Index 2025 released by the Institute for Economics & Peace, Nigeria ranked fourth globally, with terror attacks rising by 43 percent, from 120 incidents in 2024 to 171 in 2025.

The report identified Boko Haram and ISWAP as the main drivers of violence, accounting for the majority of fatalities. It also noted that civilians made up 67 percent of victims, underscoring a shift toward softer targets.

Across the North-East, Borno State recorded 19 incidents, the highest nationwide, reflecting sustained insurgent activity marked by coordinated assaults, mass abductions, and suicide bombings. Yobe, Bauchi, and Adamawa recorded four incidents each, including attacks on security formations, deadly village raids, and abductions.

Taraba recorded two incidents, while Gombe had three, largely involving attacks on farming communities.

In the North-West, Sokoto State recorded eight incidents driven by persistent bandit attacks and kidnappings. Katsina had four incidents, while Zamfara and Kebbi recorded three each, including mass casualty attacks and village raids. Kano recorded one kidnapping case.

The North-Central zone also faced intense pressure. Benue State recorded 10 incidents, including multiple attacks in Kwande, Apa, and Otukpo, with dozens killed in separate assaults. Plateau recorded five incidents, largely involving coordinated attacks on rural communities and security patrols.

Kogi recorded six incidents, many targeting highways and travellers. Niger recorded seven incidents, including large-scale village attacks and ambushes on security personnel. Kwara recorded three incidents, including a major massacre in Kaiama.

The Federal Capital Territory recorded eight incidents, mostly kidnappings in satellite communities around Bwari and Kubwa.

In the South-East, Abia recorded five incidents, including attacks on security personnel and kidnappings. Imo and Enugu recorded four incidents each, involving raids on facilities and deadly attacks along highways. Ebonyi also recorded four incidents, including the killing of a traditional ruler and child abductions.

Anambra recorded three incidents, largely involving armed confrontations and attempted kidnappings.

In the South-South, Edo recorded five incidents, mostly kidnappings and related violence. Rivers recorded four incidents, including multiple abductions. Bayelsa and Cross River recorded two incidents each, while Akwa Ibom and Delta recorded one incident each.

In the South-West, Ondo recorded 10 incidents, emerging as the most affected in the region, with killings, abductions, and attacks on farms and communities across Akure North and Owo. Oyo and Ekiti recorded five incidents each, Osun recorded two, and Ogun recorded one.

Lagos recorded one unconfirmed incident linked to highway kidnappings. Notably, Nasarawa and Jigawa recorded no attacks within the period under review.

The incidents were marked by heavy casualties across several regions, with some states recording mass killings on a scale rarely seen outside insurgency zones.

In Borno State, coordinated insurgent operations, including the invasion of Ngoshe and repeated assaults on military formations, left many dead, with about 300 civilians abducted in one attack.

In Benue State, a series of attacks across Kwande, Apa, and Agatu local government areas resulted in over 70 deaths, alongside multiple abductions and widespread displacement.

In Kwara State, an attack on Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area reportedly left over 200 residents dead, while 175 others, including men, women, and children, were abducted. Many of the victims remain in captivity, making it one of the deadliest incidents recorded during the period.

In Niger State, attacks on communities such as Tungan Makeri and surrounding areas left dozens dead, with entire settlements destroyed and residents forced to flee.

Similarly, in Zamfara State, a mass casualty attack in Tungan Dutse reportedly claimed over 50 lives, alongside large-scale abductions.

In Ondo State, multiple killings were recorded, including the murder of a traditional ruler and several farmers, reflecting a rise in the brutality of attacks in the South-West.

Across the country, civilians remained the primary victims, with many attacks deliberately targeting rural communities, travellers, and places of worship.

Public anger has followed closely behind the violence. In Oyo State, residents staged protests along major highways, including the Ibadan-Oyo Expressway, condemning repeated kidnappings and what they described as weak security enforcement.

In Ondo State, communities in Akure North and surrounding areas blocked highways and, in some cases, displayed victims to draw attention to their plight. Protesters demanded urgent government intervention, citing an inability to access farms and rising ransom demands.

Elsewhere, fear has reshaped daily life. Rural communities in Benue, Niger, and parts of the South-East reported displacement, with residents abandoning homes and farmlands.

In the outskirts of the FCT, residents described living under constant threat, with kidnappers issuing ransom demands directly to communities.

Security agencies have responded with a mix of operations and reactive measures. In Borno, troops under Operation Hadin Kai carried out sustained offensives, repelling attacks, killing insurgents, and rescuing abducted civilians.

In Niger and Kebbi, military deployments were reinforced following deadly attacks, while joint task forces conducted clearance operations in affected communities.

Authorities in Ondo launched coordinated patrols involving the police, army, and Amotekun Corps, alongside mass arrests of suspected kidnappers. Similar crackdowns were reported in Imo and Abia, where security forces raided suspected camps and made arrests.

In Abuja, joint operations led to the rescue of kidnapped victims in Bwari, though attacks continued in nearby communities.

Despite these efforts, many residents and local leaders argue that responses remain largely reactive, calling for permanent security bases, improved intelligence gathering, and stronger protection for rural communities.

With 137 incidents recorded in just four weeks, the figures highlight a security challenge that is both widespread and evolving. While Nasarawa and Jigawa recorded no attacks, the overall pattern suggests that insecurity has taken on a national dimension, cutting across regions once considered relatively stable.

The situation raises fresh concerns about the capacity of existing security frameworks to effectively address a threat that continues to expand across the country.

Additional reports by Dayo Johnson, Ndahi Marama, Ozioruva Aliu, Jimitota Onoyume, Demola Akinyemi, Golok Nanmwa, Musa Ubandawaki, Femi Bolaji, Peter Duru, Adeola Badru, and Rotimi Ojomoyela.