Jihadist Violence Surges in Nigeria and DRC Amid Global Decline in Terror Deaths

Jihadist violence sharply increased in Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo, even as global terrorism deaths reached a decade low. Nigeria saw a 46% rise in fatalities, ranking fourth on the Global Terrorism Index.

Thu Mar 19 2026

Nigeria Records Sharp Rise in Terrorism Deaths

A recent report indicates a significant increase in jihadist violence in Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) last year. This surge occurred despite a global drop in terrorism-related deaths to their lowest level in a decade. Nigeria experienced the largest global increase in terrorism deaths in 2025, with fatalities rising by 46% from 513 in 2024 to 750.

Global Terrorism Index Rankings Shift

The rise in Nigeria's terrorism deaths has impacted its position in the Global Terrorism Index. Nigeria now ranks fourth globally, trailing only Pakistan, Burkina Faso, and Niger. These figures highlight that while global terrorism deaths are decreasing overall, specific regions continue to face severe threats from jihadist activities.

*Source: The Guardian World (2026-03-19)*

Tags: #Nigeria #DRC #Jihadism #Terrorism #AfricaConflict