An intelligence report released on Sunday by Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited (BSIL), a private security and intelligence firm in Nigeria, has revealed that Zamfara State is the leading state in the country in terms of insecurity as 6,800 people lost their lives while 5,400 were victims of abduction in the first half of 2025.
The report titled “Nigeria Security Report” which gave a detailed data for quarter one of the year ending June 2025, paints a grim picture of the country’s security architecture.
“A staggering 6,800 fatalities occurred in the first quarter of 2025.
“This represents a 13.67% increase compared to H2 2024 and a significant 19.11% increase compared to H1 2024,” the report said.
The firm attributed the development to the activities of “non-state armed groups, ideological insurgents, and bandits, especially in the North West and North East regions while flagging the North Central region for worsening insecurity.
“The North West and North East regions continue to face persistent security challenges from non-state armed groups, including ideological insurgents and bandits.
“The North Central region is also showing increasing severity in security occurrences, particularly in states like Niger, Benue, Plateau, and Kwara, with prevalent abductions, armed attacks, and raids on rural communities.
“In terms of incidents, the first six months of 2025 saw 4,672 reported cases nationwide. This marked a 1.08% decrease compared to the second half of 2024 but a 9.21% increase compared to the same period last year.
“Zamfara State recorded the highest number of fatalities at 1,088. The state also recorded the highest number of abducted persons at 1,755.
“Overall, 5,402 abductions occurred across Nigeria in the first half of 2025. This shows a 2.40% decrease compared to H2 2024 but a substantial 30.43% rise compared to H1 2024.
“June 2025 witnessed a notable de-escalation in overall security events compared to May 2025. Incidents: A 48.04% decrease was observed, dropping from 895 in May to 465 in June.
“Fatalities: A 14.27% decrease was recorded, falling from 1,296 in May to 1,111 in June. In terms of abductions, a substantial 74.59% decrease occurred, with 276 individuals abducted in June compared to 1,086 in May.
“Civilian fatalities remained high, accounting for 72.37% (804 individuals) of the total fatalities in June. The North Central region was severely impacted by farmer-herder violence, while the North West recorded the majority of kidnappings.
“Farmer-herder conflicts were a significant cause of fatalities in the North Central region, while the North West experienced the highest number of abductions, with 72.10% of all abductees.
“In Q2 2025, fatalities rose slightly to 3,499 from 3,301 in Q1, while abductions fell. A 5.66% increase was recorded in terms of fatalities rising from 3,301 in Q1 to 3,499 in Q2.
“In terms of abductions, a notable 11.45% decline was experienced, with 2,540 abductions in Q2 compared to 2,862 in Q1. The North Central, North West, and North East all contributed significantly to these figures.
“The security situation in Nigeria is assessed to remain volatile in the short term, especially in the North-Central and North-West regions, where sophisticated attacks by bandits and terrorist groups are increasing.
“The interplay of communal violence, challenging terrain, enhanced threat actor capabilities (including foreign technical support), and persistent socio-economic grievances like hunger and poverty are exacerbating insecurity.
“Businesses and individuals are advised to monitor ongoing developments and adapt security protocols accordingly,” the report added.
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