In the dying days of 2025, a year that brought nothing but anguish, despair and sorrow to many, Nigerians who are deeply distressed and troubled by the parlous and precarious state of the nation looked forward to 2026 with the hope and expectations that the jarring and unrelenting violence, kidnapping, needless bloodshed and totally avoidable killing of many hapless and forlorn Nigerians by their fellow vicious and demonic compatriots will subside and ultimately abate. This however did not happen. If anything, the country’s security situation has worsened. More Nigerians have been killed in the first two months of this year than the number of deaths recorded in any ongoing conflict and war during the same period.
What makes this year’s wave of attacks and killings more unsettling is the fact that unharmed and defenceless Nigerians are no longer the only target of this mindless campaign of terror. Those who are supposed to protect and secure Nigeria from these depraved characters are now themselves targets and victims of their barbarity and diabolical actions, as seen in the recent killing of over 50 soldiers in Borno. From Ikot Abasi to Gworza, Nigerians have been left at the mercy of violent and rampaging gunmen who kill them to satisfy their satanic bloodlust. At least over 1200 Nigerians have lost their lives to violent attacks and general insecurity.
A regional breakdown shows a disturbing shift in the geography of violence.
The North-Central, once considered Nigeria’s food basket, has emerged as the epicentre of killings with 772 deaths — more than half of the national figure. States such as Kogi (206), Kwara (276), Niger (146), Benue (69) and Plateau (50) recorded some of the heaviest casualties.
The North-East, long enveloped by terrorism, recorded 287 deaths, with Borno alone accounting for 120. The North-West followed with 193.
On January 6, at least 30 people were killed when terrorists attacked a village market in Kabe District, Borgu Local Government Area of Nigeria’s Niger State. The attackers stormed Kasuwan Daji market in Demo village on Saturday, setting the market ablaze, looting shops, and abducting an unspecified number of residents, according to the Niger State Police Command.
On January 14, 2026, a Christian farmer, Elder Abur Alam Bashi, and his son, Ikyaa Bashi, were murdered while working on their rice farm in Imande Avur village, also in Mbaikyor Ward.
“Yes, they were killed on their farm. Their bodies were recovered and buried,” said Solomon Amande, Kwande Youth Leader.
On Thursday, January 22, two residents identified as Gungur Aondoakula, a 30-year-old teacher, and Shimayohol Ordi, 29 were killed by suspected Fulani militia during an attack onTse-Amuneke village in Mbapupuu Ward, killing Another farmer was killed on Tuesday, January 27, when armed men ambushed villagers along the Agagbe–Abian Road.
On January 30, five people, including a soldier attached to Operation Whirl Stroke, were killed in a series of attacks in the Apa Local Government Area.
In Kwara State on February 6, over 200 people were killed in a brutal attack on Woro and Nuku villages in Kaiama Local Government Area (LGA). It is one of the deadliest assaults of its kind in recent months.
In early February, at least 32 people were killed in attacks across different local government areas in Benue State. No fewer than 17 people, including a police officer, were killed in an attack on Kwande on February 3 after suspected armed Fulani Ethnic Militia attacked Abande village market in Mbaikyor Ward, Turan District of the local government.
Also, five people were killed in separate incidents in Gwer-West LGA within 48 hours.
On March 1, over fifty soldiers, including a major, were killed by Boko Haram terrorists in an ambush in Borno
On February 21, terrorists stormed the village of Tungan Dutse, in Zamfara State and killed at least 50 people. Several women and children were also abducted during the attack. The assailants reported setting buildings on fire and shooting residents who tried to flee.
On March 4, suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists attacked the Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. Over 100 women and children were abducted during the invasion. According to Daily Trust, the terrorists also killed some soldiers, the chief imam of the town and some community elders during the assault which occurred shortly after Muslims broke their fast on Wednesday.
On March 6, Bandits reportedly killed a resident. They abducted several others in a series of attacks across communities in the Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State, despite a peace deal earlier reached between local stakeholders and armed groups operating in the area before Ramadan.
The troubling figures are from violent attacks and mindless killings by rampaging armed non-state actors. When you add deaths from other unfortunate incidents and tragedies, road accidents and waterway mishaps, the death toll becomes significantly higher. Contrary to what the government would have us believe, that the security situation in the country has improved and that Nigerians are safer today than they were under the previous government, the facts of the matter and the reality on the ground do not support such a narrative.
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