Global report ranks Borno attacks among world’s deadliest in 2025
Two terrorist attacks in Nigeria have been listed among the world’s deadliest incidents in the 2026 Global Terrorism Index.
The report ranked an attack on Darajamal village in Bama LGA of Borno State as the 10th deadliest terrorist incident globally.
The attack occurred on September 5, 2025, when gunmen stormed the community and killed 58 villagers and five soldiers.
The report reads: “The gunmen attacked the village of Darajamal, Bama Local Government Area, Borno State, on September 5, killing 58 villagers and five soldiers. Thirty of the gunmen were reportedly killed by the Nigerian Army after the attack.
“No organisation has claimed responsibility for the assault at the time of writing, although local media sources have attributed the attack to the Islamic State West Africa Province.”
Another attack in Nigeria was ranked the 12th deadliest globally. The incident occurred on May 15, 2025, when Boko Haram fighters attacked Mallam Karamti and Kwatandashi villages in Kukawa LGA of Borno state.
The report reads: “Jihadists attacked the neighbouring villages of Mallam Karamti and Kwatandashi in Kukawa Local Government Area, Borno State, on May 15.
“According to local press reports, approximately 100 civilians were rounded up and taken into the forest, with 57 bodies later recovered and 70 individuals still missing. Media reports attribute the attack to Boko Haram’s JAS faction.”
The report said the deadliest terrorist attack globally in 2025 occurred in Burkina Faso. More than 120 soldiers were killed on October 9, 2025, when militants attacked a military position between Djibo in Soum province and Namsiguia in Bam province.
The report attributed the attack to Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen. Another deadly incident occurred in Burkina Faso between April 1 and 3, 2025, when coordinated attacks targeted villages in Sourou province.
At least 100 people, including civilians and members of the Volunteers for the Defence of the Homeland, were killed.
Another attack in the country ranked third globally after militants launched coordinated strikes on multiple locations including a military camp in Djibo on May 11, 2025.
At least 100 people were killed in the attack, which was also claimed by Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen.
The fourth deadliest incident occurred in Niger on June 20, 2025. Gunmen attacked villagers near a mosque in Manda, Tera department, Tillaberi region, killing at least 71 people and injuring 20 others.
The report said terrorism deaths in 2025 were largely concentrated in five countries. These countries include Burkina Faso, Pakistan, Nigeria, Niger, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Together, the countries accounted for about 70 percent of global terrorism fatalities.
The report added that while Burkina Faso recorded the largest drop in terrorism-related deaths, Nigeria recorded the biggest increase. It said terrorism-related deaths in Nigeria rose by 237 in 2025.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo also recorded a significant rise in fatalities, largely linked to attacks by the Islamic State-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces.
