The Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2026, published by the Institute for Economics and Peace on Thursday, March 19, shows that Nigeria is the Sahel country with the most terror de@ths and incidents in 2025.

According to GTI, 70 per cent of terror d£aths in 2025 occurred in Nigeria, Niger Republic, Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Pakistan.

Top on the ranking of the most terrorised country in the world is Pakistan, second most terrorised country is Burkina Faso, Niger Republic is the third, and Nigeria follows as the fourth.

The GTI disclosed that most of the terror attacks in Nigeria are perpetrated by members of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram.

“Just under 70 per cent of de@ths from terrorism occurred in only five countries: Pakistan, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Niger, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC),” the report states.

“Nigeria recorded the largest increase in 2025, with fatalities rising by 46 per cent to 750. Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram were responsible for 80 per cent of all terrorism deaths in the country.

“Five countries in the Sahel recorded falls in both the number of deaths and incidents from the previous year. Nigeria is the only country in the region to experience an increase in both categories.”

The GTI stated that there were 237 more terror d£aths recorded in 2025 than in the year before, which is a 13 per cent increase. In the timeframe, 243 people were injured and 171 incidents were recorded.

“Nigeria recorded the largest increase and has experienced a steady rise in terrorism‑related d£aths since 2022, recording 237 more fatalities in 2025 than in 2024,” the report stated.

“The increase in terrorist activity comes amidst a surge in both ideological and criminal violence in the country. ISWAP and Boko Haram were responsible for 82.8 per cent of all terrorism d£aths in the country in 2025. The rise in Islamic State activity led to US-backed strikes on the group in northwestern Nigeria in late 2025.”

The Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, has delivered a landmark ruling affirming that Nigerians have the constitutional right to record police officers while they carry out their duties in public.

Delivering judgment on Tuesday in suit number FHC/WR/CS/87/2025, Justice H. A. Nganjiwa held that police officers must wear visible name tags, display their force numbers, and must not harass, intimidate, arrest, or seize devices from citizens documenting their activities.

The court also awarded the applicant, Maxwell Uwaifo, N5 million in d@mages for the violation of his fundamental rights, alongside N2 million to cover litigation costs.

By granting all the reliefs sought, the court reinforced the right of Nigerians to freely document police actions in public spaces without fear of intimidation or retaliation.

Reacting to the ruling, Mr Uwaifo described the judgment as a major step forward for accountability.

“This judgement has significant implications for policing standards, civil liberties, and public accountability across Nigeria,” he said in a statement shared with newsmen on Tuesday.
“The court made far-reaching pronouncements on police accountability and citizens’ constitutional rights.”

The Federal Government has declared Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20, 2026, as public holidays to mark the celebration of Eid-il-Fitr, which signifies the end of the Islamic month of Ramadan.

Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the announcement on behalf of the Federal Government.

The minister, in a statement by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani, urged Muslims to sustain the virtues of love, generosity, peace, tolerance, and sacrifice, which were emphasised during the holy month.

He also called on all Nigerians to use the festive period to pray for the continued peace, unity, and prosperity of the nation.

While wishing the Muslim faithful a joyful Eid-ul-Fitr celebration, the minister encourages citizens to celebrate responsibly and extend acts of kindness to the less privileged in society.

“The federal government remains committed to fostering national unity and peaceful coexistence among all Nigerians,” the statement added.