Nigeria recorded 565 deaths linked to terrorist violence in 2024, according to a new report released by the country’s National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC).
The report places Nigeria’s figures within a wider continental context, revealing that over 13,900 civilians were killed in more than 3,400 terrorist attacks across Africa during the same period. It further notes that approximately five million people were forcibly displaced across the Sahel and neighbouring sub-regions as a result of insecurity.
The NCTC also highlighted the long-term economic toll of terrorism on the continent. Since 2007, terrorist activity has cost Africa an estimated $119 billion, with Nigeria, Mali, Somalia and Libya accounting for 94 per cent of those losses.
As part of efforts to counter insurgency, the report disclosed that more than 5,000 terrorism suspects are currently in pre-trial detention in Nigeria. The Centre said it plans to intensify operations against armed groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) through a newly developed framework outlined in its 2025–2030 strategic plan.
The strategy document provides an assessment of evolving terrorist threats, outlines the human and economic impact of violence, and sets out measures aimed at strengthening both national and regional security responses.
Established in November 2025, the NCTC said it is working towards positioning itself as a leading regional hub for counter-terrorism within the sub-region and the wider Sahel.
The Centre’s mandate includes enhancing intelligence-led operations, improving inter-agency coordination, and strengthening legal and institutional frameworks to prevent and respond more effectively to violent extremism.
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