By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
ACROSS Nigeria, communities, especially in the northern part of the country, faced devastating insecurity in 2025, as violent crimes, banditry, and insurgent attacks intensified, displacing thousands and claiming countless lives.
In fact, local authorities struggled to contain the violence, raising urgent concerns about national security and the welfare of affected populations.
Five states in particular, namely, Borno, Plateau, Benue, Katsina, and Zamfara states bore the heaviest toll, enduring surges in insurgent activities, communal clashes, and organised crime that disrupted livelihoods and humanitarian efforts.
The frequency and brutality of these attacks created fear and humanitarian crises across these regions.
However, Borno State remained the most affected, with Boko Haram and ISWAP continuing to threaten civilians and military personnel.
In January of the outgoing year, more than 40 farmers and fishermen were killed in Dumba community, with numerous others injured or reported missing.
A particular March attack on an Army base in Wajiroko claimed at least four soldiers’ lives, including a brigade commander, while several others were injured.
April saw dozens of soldiers and civilians killed across Borno communities, prompting the state Governor Babagana Zulum to lament that his base was losing ground to insurgents.
Later in October, military troops repelled attacks in Borno and neighbouring Yobe, killing over 50 terrorists and recovering arms and ammunition, according to media reports.
Sometime in this outgoing month of December, operations ambushed a Boko Haram and ISWAP logistics convoy, neutralising 21 terrorists and recovering bicycles, food, and medical supplies.
And till now, military operations continued as authorities sought to stabilise the state.
Similarly, Plateau State endured communal clashes, violent crimes, and assaults on rural settlements, leaving 2,630 dead by the end of 2025, with many more injured or displaced as revealed by media reports.
It was noted that Bokkos Local Government Area recorded over 200 fatalities, including nine residents in Mushere in May.
Also, Mangu, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom saw entire villages emptied, fields burnt, and churches destroyed.
Another LGA called Bassa is said to have suffered nearly 1,000 deaths between January and June, with repeated attacks on several communities.
A report by the Plateau State Fact-Finding Committee attributed the violence to criminal exploitation, historical grievances, ethnic mistrust, and land competition.
Also, farmer-herder clashes, ethnic and religious tensions, and illegal mining and cattle rustling also contributed to the insecurity.
On another note, Benue State recorded 6,896 deaths in 2025, largely from suspected herder attacks and kidnappings.
Hundreds of thousands were reported displaced, with over 450,000 internally displaced.
Meanwhile, entire communities were razed, and residents forced to flee while in one particular incident, suspected herders attacked the Mbamar community, killing two and leaving several injured or missing.
Fifteen Catholic parishes in Makurdi Diocese closed amid persistent attacks. just as communities like Tse Orbiam, Ahume, and Yelewata were heavily affected, with more than 50 deaths, including women and children.
These spate of attacks disrupted farming, threatening food supplies in one of Nigeria’s main agricultural hubs.
Not spared is Katsina State which faced 294 killings and 306 abductions during the year, with bandits targeting villages and highways.
Reports say that Maikuma village lost four residents, while 43 others were abducted in one raid.
Also, Layin Gara saw two killed and 16 kidnapped.
In a televised report, Police foiled two kidnap attempts in July, rescuing 28 victims, although three people died.
By September, bandits killed eight people, including a security officer, in Magaji Wando village.
Not left out is the Gidan Mantau massacre in August claimed over 50 lives, with 60 more abducted.
Farther down in November, two elders were killed in Doguwar Šorawa, with several residents abducted. Farming activities were disrupted, and some communities-imposed levies to access their farms.
Also, Zamfara State experienced 273 killings and 467 abductions in 2025, with bandits controlling areas and levying residents.
Its July attacks in Kairu claimed six lives and abducted more than 100, including women and children.
Another one in August recorded raids in Sabon Garin Damri, Bakura LGA, killed 11 people and abducted several others.
By December, incidents in Fananawa village, Bukuyum LGA, left one dead and five kidnapped.
Conclusively, the Plateau State Fact-Finding Committee ongoing violence caused significant displacement, with over 720,115 people displaced between 2015 and 2022. Farming was disrupted, worsening food insecurity and poverty.
Officials noted that across the five states, the scale and intensity of attacks have strained communities and security forces alike, urging civilians and local authorities to work alongside the military as operations continue to safeguard towns and villages from insurgents, bandits, and communal violence.
