Nigeria recorded a series of deadly attacks by terrorists across the country in 2025, leading to the killing of over 2,200 unsuspecting citizens in just the first half of the year.
There was a sharp increase in insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West and North-Central, with significant rise in communal clashes in the middle-belt and parts of the South-South regions.
The attacks and killings deteriorated in the last quarter of the year with about 82 persons reportedly killed in December alone.
DAILY POST reports that over two million people were abducted for either ransom or organ harvesting across the country especially in the North-West and North-Central.
Yelewata attack
On June 13, 2025, armed men suspected to be Fulani herdsmen attacked the Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State and killed unarmed farmers and traders.
In just a single night, nearly 200 people were gruesomely massacred in the unfortunate attack that kept the nation on a standstill for over a week.
According to reports, earlier the same day, police repelled the attackers when they tried to invade the Yelewata’s St. Joseph’s Church, where up to 700 IDPs lay sleeping.
However, the militants unfortunately found their way into the Yelewata market square, where they used fuel to set fire on a building accommodating displaced people.
The assailants subsequently opened fire and started shooting sporadically in an area where more than 500 people were asleep.
DAILY POST reports that several innocent children and women were burnt alive in the horrible incident.
Bandits kill 40 in Zamfara
At least 40 people abducted from a village in Zamfara state were on July 27 killed by their abductors despite ransoms being paid for their release.
The assailants had in March abducted about 56 people from Banga village, Kauran Namoda local government area and subsequently demanded a ransom of one million naira per captive.
However, despite the ransom paid, the gunmen released about 16 and slaughtered others, including pregnant women.
Boko Haram kills over 80 in Borno
Boko Haram fighters on September 3, attacked the Darul Jamal community, home to a military base on the Nigeria-Cameroon border in Borno State, killing over 80 persons including five soldiers.
The deadly attack occurred in the village, a few days after residents returned to their ancestral homes following years of displacement.
According to reports, operatives of the Nigerian Air Force also killed at least 30 of the militants in several air strikes after receiving reports of the raid on the village.
Over 150 killed in Plateau
No fewer than 150 innocent citizens were gruesomely murdered in different parts of Plateau State this year.
In January, terrorists attacked popular Mangu town and killed about 30 residents.
In April, the criminal elements launched another deadly attack in the Bokko District in Plateau State, killing about 53 people while more than 2000 others were displaced.
Similarly, in June, terrorists attacked several communities in the Riyom Local Government Area of the state, killing at least 58 people while about 15,000 others were displaced.
Bandits attack Kebbi School, kidnap 24 schoolgirls
On 17 November, the daredevil bandits attacked the Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, GGCSS, Maga in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, abducting about 24 students.
The late-night assault left the vice principal, Malam Hassan Yakubu Makuku, dead after he reportedly attempted to shield students from the attackers.
The bloodthirsty criminals invaded the school unhindered, unleashing terror on the schoolgirls, throwing the community into trauma.
The Federal Government has, however, secured the release of 24 of the students.
Attack on Kwara CAC Church
On November 18, terrorists invaded a branch of the Christ Apostolic Church, CAC, in Eruku town, under Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, killing at least eight worshippers and abducting several others, including the resident pastor.
A video clip that captured the ugly incident, revealed when the attackers invaded the church during a meeting and immediately opened fire on the innocent citizens.
While some were gunned down, over 50 others were whisked to an unknown destination.
The incident caused panic across the country, with many Nigerians avoiding public gatherings over fear of attacks.
Terrorists abduct over 300 students in Niger Catholic School
A total of 303 schoolchildren and 12 teachers were on November 21, abducted by gunmen during an attack on St Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.
DAILY POST reports that the incident triggered widespread outrage and renewed concerns about the safety of schools nationwide.
The attackers reportedly stormed the boarding school on motorcycles at about 2:00 a.m.
They moved systematically from one dormitory to another before marching their captives into nearby forests.
Days after the attack, the Christian Association of Nigeria disclosed that 50 of the children escaped during the raid, while scores of others were taken away.
All the victims have been released, according to reports that emerged on Sunday, December 21.
Major terrorists attacks that shook Nigeria in 2025