Full Breakdown
Rising Jihadist Violence in Nigeria and DRC Amid Global Decline in Terrorism
3/20/2026, 5:33:35 PM
Escalating Terrorism in Nigeria and DRC
A recent report from the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) reveals a significant rise in jihadist violence in Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during 2025, contrasting with a global decline in terrorism-related deaths. Nigeria experienced a 46% increase in fatalities, rising from 513 in 2024 to 750, making it the fourth most affected country globally, behind Pakistan, Niger, and Burkina Faso. The DRC also saw a nearly 28% increase in terrorism deaths, escalating from 365 to 467, marking its worst ranking at eighth place on the Global Terrorism Index.
In Nigeria, the surge in violence is attributed to ongoing conflicts involving extremist groups such as Boko Haram and its offshoots, alongside various ethnic militias and criminal gangs. Notably, a massacre in Kwara State in February 2025 resulted in 162 deaths, highlighting the severity of the security crisis. Concurrently, the Nigerian military reported successful operations against insurgents in Borno State, killing at least 80 fighters during a coordinated assault.
The Sahel as the Epicenter of Terrorism
The report indicates that the Sahel region continues to dominate global terrorism fatalities, accounting for nearly half of all deaths worldwide for the third consecutive year. The index noted a global decline in terrorism deaths to 5,582 in 2025, down from 7,555 in 2024. Despite this overall decrease, the Sahel has seen a tenfold increase in fatalities since 2007, with the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda-linked groups, such as the Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), being the primary perpetrators.
Burkina Faso, previously the most affected country, recorded a 45% decline in deaths, attributed to a shift in insurgent tactics focusing on military targets rather than civilians. Meanwhile, Niger's position rose to third place with 703 deaths, reflecting escalating violence in the region.
Implications of Rising Violence
Steve Killelea, founder of the IEP, emphasized that the trends indicate a fracturing world order that threatens the progress made against terrorism over the past decade. The report highlights a concerning shift towards more sophisticated and coordinated attacks on military installations, particularly in border regions like the Central Sahel tri-border area and the Lake Chad Basin.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics argue that the rising violence in Nigeria and the DRC underscores the inadequacy of current counter-terrorism strategies. The persistent insecurity and violent clashes among extremist factions raise questions about the effectiveness of military responses and the need for comprehensive approaches addressing the root causes of radicalization.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Viewed in totality, these trends point to one sobering conclusion: a fracturing world order risks erasing the hard-fought gains made against terrorism over the past decade,” — Steve Killelea, Founder, Institute for Economics and Peace
- “For JNIM, the change in tactics can perhaps best be explained by the ‘value v vulnerability’ trade-off. Military forces and political figures are considered high-value targets. As JNIM now controls more territory, it is better able to carry out attacks on higher value targets.” — Steve Killelea, Founder, Institute for Economics and Peace
The report serves as a stark reminder of the evolving landscape of terrorism, particularly in Nigeria and the DRC, where extremist violence is on the rise despite a global decline in overall terrorism-related deaths.
