No fewer than 1,297 people were killed and 1,178 others kidnapped across Nigeria in the month of May 2025, according to data compiled from various security reports and media monitoring.
Zamfara State recorded the highest number of killings with 332 deaths, followed by Borno and Niger States. The disturbing figures highlight the unrelenting wave of insecurity plaguing many parts of the country despite ongoing military operations and government assurances.
The killings were attributed to a mix of banditry, insurgency, communal violence, and other forms of violent crimes. The north-western region, particularly Zamfara, continues to experience rampant attacks by armed bandits who frequently raid rural communities, loot property, and abduct residents for ransom.
In Borno, the theatre of Boko Haram insurgency for over a decade, sporadic attacks by remnants of the extremist group and ISWAP elements contributed to the high death toll. Niger State, which has also become a hotbed for terrorist and bandit activities, witnessed frequent village invasions and road ambushes in May.
The 1,178 kidnappings across the country further underscore the worsening security situation, with victims ranging from schoolchildren and commuters to farmers and traditional leaders. In many cases, communities were forced to raise millions of naira in ransom payments amid poor police response and delayed military intervention.
Security experts warn that unless more decisive and intelligence-driven efforts are taken to tackle insecurity, the trend may escalate further in the coming months. They also stressed the importance of state and local government coordination, community-based policing, and improved welfare for security operatives.
As Nigeria prepares for key national reforms in security and governance, citizens and advocacy groups are calling for greater accountability, improved funding for security architecture, and urgent strategies to end what they describe as “a national emergency.”
The federal government is yet to release an official response to the latest casualty figures.
