Zamfara Tops List As Nigeria Records 5,400 Kidnappings, 6,800 Deaths In 6 Months —Report

A new report by Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited (BSIL), a private security and intelligence firm in Nigeria, has revealed that 6,800 people lost their lives to insecurity across the country in the first half of 2025.

The Nigeria Security Report—which analysed data for June 2025, Quarter 2 (Q2), and the first half of 2025 (H1)—paints a grim picture of Nigeria’s security landscape, despite isolated improvements in specific months.

“Staggering 6,800 fatalities occurred. This represents a 13.67% increase compared to H2 2024 and a significant 19.11% increase compared to H1 2024,” the statement said.

BSIL attributed the continued loss of life to the activities of non-state armed groups, ideological insurgents, and bandits, especially in the North West and North East regions. The North Central region was also flagged for worsening insecurity.

It said, “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 was highlighted as the most affected in terms of both killings and kidnappings.

“Zamfara State recorded the highest number of fatalities at 1,088.” It 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.”

Despite the troubling six-month total, June 2025 saw some month-on-month improvements in key indicators.

“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,” the report said.

“Fatalities: A 14.27% decrease was recorded, falling from 1,296 in May to 1,111 in June,” the report said.

“In terms of abductions, a substantial 74.59% decrease occurred, with 276 individuals abducted in June compared to 1,086 in May.”

Nonetheless, civilian deaths remained high.

The report further stated, “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,” the report said.

“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.

Meanwhile, BSIL's outlook for the country’s security remains pessimistic.

It said, “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.”

This report comes amid concerns on rising killings, kidnappings and destruction blamed on insecurity carried out by different non-state actors such as Boko Haram, bandits, armed herdsmen, among others.