A new security report has revealed that Nigeria recorded 12,954 deaths from violent incidents in 2025, reflecting an increase from the previous year.
The figures were contained in the 15th Report on Violence in Nigeria published by Nigeria Watch, which tracks insecurity trends across the country.
The report showed that more than 222,000 people have been killed in 46,182 violent incidents nationwide between 2006 and 2025.
It attributed the 2025 deaths largely to insurgency, rural banditry, kidnapping, farmers–herders clashes, and security operations. Crime-related violence accounted for 47 percent of fatalities, while political and religious violence made up 27 percent. Road accidents accounted for 13 percent.
Borno State recorded the highest death toll in 2025 with 2,221 fatalities, followed by Niger with 1,438, Zamfara with 1,426, Benue with 811, and Katsina with 731.
By contrast, Ekiti State emerged as the most peaceful in 2025 with 23 deaths recorded, followed by Bayelsa with 44, Akwa Ibom with 50, Cross River with 62, and Abia with 71.
The report also revealed a strong regional imbalance, with about 81 percent of all violent deaths occurring in Northern Nigeria, compared to 19 percent in the South.
It further noted a sharp rise in rural banditry, with deaths linked to bandit attacks and security counter-operations increasing to 3,974 in 2025, up from 1,452 in 2024.
Zamfara State recorded the highest number of banditry-related deaths, followed by Katsina, Niger, Kebbi, and Plateau states.
