Obi knocks FG as Nigeria ranks 4th in global terror deaths

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, has described Nigeria’s latest ranking on the global terrorism index (GTI) as a troubling reflection of poor leadership.

He noted that Nigeria remains one of the most terrorised in the world, with a significant rise in terrorism-related deaths.

Recall that in the latest Global Terrorism Index released by the Institute for Economics and Peace, Nigeria recorded the highest global increase in terrorism-related deaths in 2025, with fatalities rising by 46 percent from 513 in 2024 to 750.

This placed the country fourth on the GTI ranking, behind Pakistan, Burkina Faso and the Republic of Niger.

The report showed that the Sahel region has emerged as the global epicentre of terrorism, accounting for nearly half of all terrorism-related deaths worldwide for the third consecutive year.

According to the findings, the region recorded over 5,500 terrorism-related deaths in 2025. Although this represents a slight decline compared to previous years, the Sahel continues to bear the highest burden globally.

The surge in fatalities has been linked to ongoing clashes between insurgent groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, alongside broader internal security challenges across the country.

Globally, Pakistan overtook Burkina Faso as the most affected country in 2025, recording 1,139 deaths linked to terrorist incidents.

The surge in Pakistan was attributed to renewed militant activities following the return of the Taliban in neighbouring Afghanistan.

Burkina Faso, previously the most impacted nation, recorded a 45 per cent decline in terrorism-related deaths, largely due to reduced civilian casualties. Analysts say insurgent groups are increasingly targeting military personnel instead.

The Global Terrorism Index ranks 163 countries annually based on key indicators, including the number of attacks, fatalities, injuries, and hostages linked to terrorist activities.

In a statement shared on X on Thursday, Obi said that while many countries are recording a decline in terrorism, Nigeria appears to be moving in the opposite direction.

“This trend is a direct result of misplaced priorities, weak governance, corruption, a lack of rule of law, and the persistent neglect of security, which is the government’s most fundamental duty,” the former governor of Anambra wrote.

“From the insurgency of Boko Haram to the growing threat posed by the Islamic State West Africa Province, the crisis of kidnapping, and unchecked violence in our rural communities by heavily armed bandits, Nigerians are dying daily while those in power continue to feast.”

 “What is the purpose of government if it cannot protect lives? Why are we normalizing tragedy while other nations make progress?

“This is not the Nigeria we should accept. We cannot continue down this path. It is time to move from excuses to action and from failure to measurable progress.

“A safe and secure Nigeria is not too much to ask; it is the right of every citizen, and it must be delivered.”