Nigeria’s deepening security crisis has been laid bare in a new report, which recorded 5,400 kidnappings and 6,800 deaths nationwide within the first six months of 2025.
According to the report, released by a conflict tracking organisation, Zamfara State emerged as the epicenter of the violence, topping the list of states most affected by criminal activities.
The report paints a grim picture of the growing insecurity across the country, particularly in the North-West. Alongside Zamfara, other states heavily impacted include: Kaduna, Niger, Borno, and Benue, with the majority of incidents linked to banditry, terrorism, and communal clashes.
Experts have raised the alarm over the rising scale and frequency of attacks, warning that the deteriorating security situation could further destabilize the country as it heads toward the 2027 general elections.
In response, civil society groups and human rights advocates are urging the federal government to overhaul its security architecture and prioritize the protection of citizens, especially in regions most vulnerable to violence and abductions.
