10,217 Lives Lost as Violence Engulfs Nigeria in 2025 Security Crisis

DDM News

Nigeria continues to grapple with a severe insecurity crisis in 2025, with thousands of lives lost due to escalating violence across the country, particularly in the northern region.

Since President Bola Tinubu assumed office two years ago, over 10,217 people have been killed in attacks by armed groups, according to Amnesty International.

The states of Benue and Plateau have been among the hardest hit, recording 6,896 and 2,630 deaths respectively.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that the roots of Nigeria’s insecurity are deep and multifaceted.

The ongoing Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast, especially in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states, remains a major driver of violence.

This conflict has resulted in widespread displacement, with approximately 2.3 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) recorded in 2025 alone.

The insurgency has destroyed critical infrastructure and disrupted agricultural livelihoods, fueling a humanitarian crisis.

Beyond terrorism, banditry, kidnappings, and communal clashes have surged in other northern states like Niger, Zamfara, and Borno.

In the first quarter of 2025 alone, reports indicate between 1,420 and 3,610 violent deaths nationwide from these conflicts.

The Nigeria Youth Forum highlighted the alarming toll from bandits and Boko Haram insurgents during this period.

Experts attribute the insecurity to a combination of political exclusion, socio-economic challenges such as poverty and unemployment, environmental pressures like climate change, and weak governance.

These factors have created fertile ground for criminality and insurgency to thrive.

The proliferation of small arms and ineffective security agencies further exacerbate the crisis.

Despite these challenges, the federal government, under President Tinubu’s directive, aims to decisively end insecurity by the close of 2025.

Defence Minister Abubakar Badaru reported significant military successes, including neutralizing over 13,500 terrorists and bandits and rescuing nearly 10,000 hostages.

Key highways once considered dangerous are now reportedly safer, signaling progress in security operations.

Nevertheless, the human cost remains staggering, with thousands of Nigerians continuing to lose their lives or be displaced.

The crisis also severely hampers Nigeria’s socio-economic development, deterring investment and deepening poverty.

Addressing this insecurity requires not only military efforts but also inclusive governance and socio-economic reforms to tackle the underlying causes of violence.

As Nigeria approaches the end of 2025, the nation remains at a critical juncture in its fight against insecurity, with the lives of millions hanging in the balance.

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