On November 26, 2025, President Bola Tinubu declared a national security emergency following coordinated attacks on a church in Kwara state and schools in Kebbi and Niger states where over 350 people were abducted within days.
The declaration marked one of the strongest security responses of his administration since assuming office.
The president ordered fresh military recruitment and directed the withdrawal of police officers attached to very important persons to reinforce operations in troubled regions.
He also announced the deployment of forest guards to “flush out the terrorists and bandits lurking in our forests”.
“There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil,” Tinubu said during the national broadcast.
Seventy-one days after that address, at least 316 civilians have been reported killed in armed attacks across 15 states.
The figure, compiled from incidents reported in the media, indicates that fatalities during the period are nearly five times the number of days since the emergency was declared.
More than 31 separate attacks were recorded within the timeframe, reflecting an average of violent incidents every other day.
In early December, seven residents were killed in Gatawa and Shalla communities in Sabon Birni and Isa local government areas of Sokoto state.
The following day, gunmen attacked St. Andrews Anglican Church in Isiokwe, Ihiala local government area of Anambra state, killing two worshippers including the priest’s wife.
On December 10, militias reportedly targeted returning internally displaced persons in Tse Ajogo village in Wukari local government area of Taraba state, where at least 17 people died.
That same day, two additional fatalities were reported in separate attacks on Adabka and Mashayar Zaki communities in Zamfara state.
By mid-December, 12 persons were killed when gunmen opened fire at a mining site in Fan community of Barkin Ladi local government area of Plateau state.
In Benue state, three residents were shot dead in Daudu area of Guma local government area days before Christmas, including two brothers preparing rice for the festive period.
On Christmas Day, a suicide bomber detonated an improvised explosive device inside a mosque at Gamborun Market in Maiduguri, Borno state, killing five worshippers.
Another explosion along the Magami–Dansadau road in Maru local government area of Zamfara state claimed nine lives.
On December 28, gunmen invaded a home in Pindiga village in Akko local government area of Gombe state, killing two siblings and abducting other family members.
The next night, suspected Boko Haram fighters attacked Mubang and Zar villages in Hong local government area of Adamawa state, leaving 14 residents dead.
Two days before the new year, three persons were killed in Kunza community of Lafia local government area of Nasarawa state.
On January 3, gunmen stormed Kasuwan Daji Market in Borgu local government area of Niger state and later extended the assault into nearby communities.
Villages in Agwara local government area were also attacked over a week-long period, with at least 42 people confirmed dead and several abducted.
On January 2, seven persons were killed during a house-to-house attack in Bong Village in Qua’an-Pan local government area of Plateau state.
On January 6, five farmers were killed in Udeku Maav-Ya community in Kwande local government area of Benue state.
That same day, five personnel lost their lives during an attack at the old National Park Service office in Oloka, Orire local government area of Oyo state.
On January 8, two bureau de change operators were killed at Durusar Gawo currency market in Gudu local government area of Sokoto state.
A day later, four people were killed in Damala village in Borgu local government area of Niger state.
On January 12, bandits linked to Bello Turji reportedly killed two residents and abducted others in Bargaja village in Isa local government area of Sokoto state.
In Kano municipal local government area of Kano state, a woman and her six children were killed when gunmen invaded their home in Darayi quarters.
On January 22, 22 people were killed in separate attacks in Sokoto, Borno, Niger and Plateau states.
A week later, 10 labourers working on a bridge along Maiduguri–Damboa–Biu road in Borno state were reportedly killed.
On January 30, 20 passengers were killed in a bus attack in Kogi state and a separate Boko Haram assault in Borno state.
On February 2, 17 residents were killed in Guzamala-Abbari village and parts of Nganzai local government areas of Borno state.
The same day, five people were killed in Zurak community in Bashar district of Plateau state.
On February 3, 75 people were killed in coordinated attacks on Nuku and Woro communities in Kaiama local government area of Kwara state.
Concurrently, 13 residents were killed in Doma A and Doma B communities in Faskari local government area of Katsina state.
In Benue state, four more fatalities were recorded in Abande settlement of Mbaikyor ward in Kwande local government area.
Security analysts note that the incidents span the north-east, north-west, north-central and parts of the south-east, indicating a wide geographic spread.
Government officials have continued to maintain that operations are ongoing to address the security challenges.
The period under review reflects the continuing strain on communities affected by insurgency, banditry and related armed violence.
As security agencies pursue the measures outlined during the emergency declaration, the data from the first 71 days provides a measurable account of attacks recorded across the country.
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