RipplesMetrics: Insecurity in Nigeria: A grim overview of 2024

Data collated by RipplesMetrics has revealed that no fewer than 9,596 Nigerians were killed in various insecurity incidents throughout 2023. This data, sourced from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), which tracks real-time information on political violence and protest events globally, paints a troubling picture of the nation’s security landscape.

On average, this means that 26 people lost their lives daily due to security-related violence.

However, compared to 2023, where the total number of deaths was 8,734, the 2024 death rate increased by 9.87 per cent. In 2022, ACLED recorded 10,754 deaths, equating to approximately 29 deaths per day.

The causes behind these deaths varied, including abductions, airstrikes, armed clashes, attacks, unlawful arrests, the use of excessive force against protesters, sexual violence, mob violence, communal clashes, and riots. Various actors were involved in these incidents, ranging from security operatives to militant groups. These groups included armed separatists, cults, kidnappers, private security operatives, ethnic militias, and terrorist organizations.

An analysis of the data revealed that in 2024, there were 2,370 attacks directed at civilians, resulting in a total of 3,436 deaths. In comparison, 2023 saw 2,965 civilian fatalities from violent attacks.

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From January to March 2024, a total of 2,424 people were killed. By the end of the second quarter, the death toll had risen to 2,948. In the third and fourth quarters, the death tolls were 2,146 and 2,078, respectively.

Fatalities in 2024: Regional Breakdown

The highest fatality rate was recorded in Borno State, where 2,144 people were killed. This was followed by Zamfara with 1,424 deaths and Katsina with 1,308. On the other end of the spectrum, Gombe, Ondo, and Kano states had the lowest death tolls, with 6, 15, and 15 fatalities, respectively.

When categorized by geopolitical zone, the North-West experienced the highest number of fatalities, with 3,952 deaths. The North-East followed with 2,501 deaths, while the North-Central recorded 1,812 deaths.

In contrast, the Southern regions had relatively lower death tolls. The South-East recorded 595 deaths, the South-South reported 443, and the South-West lost 293 people to various forms of violence.

The year 2024 was marked by continued insecurity across Nigeria, with devastating losses of life and widespread fear. While government initiatives have made some progress in combating insurgency and criminal activities, the path to lasting peace remains uncertain. The significant number of deaths across various regions reflects the urgent need for a comprehensive and sustained approach to security reform in the country.

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