Nigeria's Terrorism Ranking Sparks Outrage and Fear

Nigeria's position as the fourth most terrorized country in the world, according to the Global Terror Index 2026 report, has ignited fear and anger among citizens. The report reveals that terrorist incidents rose to 171 in 2025, leading to 750 deaths, marking a significant increase from the previous year when Nigeria ranked sixth.

The surge in violence is attributed mainly to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which accounted for 80% of terror-related deaths. Borno State remains the epicenter of extremist violence, with 67 attacks and 72 deaths reported.

In just three months of 2026, Nigeria recorded 136 attacks, with non-state actors, including suspected Fulani herdsmen, causing over 300 deaths. The All Progressives Congress (APC) government, led by President Bola Tinubu, faces criticism for failing to address the long-standing security challenges.

Opposition figures like Peter Obi and Luciu Hibila express concern that the situation may worsen, highlighting the government's inability to prioritize security effectively.