Military Reports Major Gains, but Nigeria Remains Among World’s Most Impacted by Terrorism
Abuja, May 6, 2025 – Nigeria’s armed forces neutralized more than 10,900 terrorists and arrested over 12,500 suspected militants in 2024, according to official figures released by the Defence Ministry. The announcement, made by Minister of State for Defence Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle and corroborated by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, highlights intensified military operations under President Bola Tinubu’s administration6.
“The military achieved these feats by significantly degrading the terrorists through military capabilities as well as their fighting capabilities,” Major General Buba said at the annual review of joint task force activities in Abuja.
Key Security Achievements
- Terrorist Neutralization: 10,937 terrorists killed, including over a thousand high-profile leaders and commanders such as Dutse Mainasara Idda and Mallam Saleh Umaru.
- Arrests and Rescues: 12,538 suspects arrested and 7,063 hostages rescued in 2024.
- Weapons and Ammunition: 8,815 weapons and 228,004 rounds of ammunition recovered, including thousands of AK47 rifles and locally fabricated guns.
- Oil Theft Prevention: Military operations denied oil thieves an estimated ₦68.4 billion in stolen crude oil.
Persistent Security Challenges
Despite these successes, Nigeria remains one of the world’s most terrorism-impacted countries. The 2025 Global Terrorism Index ranks Nigeria sixth globally, with 565 terrorism-related deaths recorded in 2024-a 6% increase over the previous year8. Five attacks in Yobe and Borno states were among the world’s 50 deadliest in 2024, with one Boko Haram assault in Yobe killing 100 people and ranking as the seventh-worst globally.
Attacks by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) continue to devastate communities, particularly in the northeast. The northwest also faces rampant banditry and kidnapping, with over 11,000 people kidnapped nationwide between June 2020 and December 2024.
Ongoing Risks and Losses
The military’s gains have come at a cost. At least 35 soldiers were killed in the past three weeks alone, including 20 in a single ISWAP attack in Borno State. Security experts warn that persistent illegal mining and regional instability continue to fuel violence and criminality.
Outlook
While the Defence Minister expressed confidence in the administration’s security strategy, independent reports caution that Nigeria’s progress is fragile. The government faces mounting pressure to address the root causes of insurgency and banditry, improve intelligence, and further protect civilians and security personnel.
