Over 300 people killed in 5 months amid Boko Haram resurgence – Report

A research and policy group, Nextier SPD, has revealed alarming levels of violence in Nigeria’s North East region, claiming over 100 military personnel and 200 civilians killed by Boko Haram insurgents between November 2024 and April 2025.

The report, titled “Re-thinking Nigeria’s Counterinsurgency Strategy: The Aftermath of the Boko Haram Resurgence,” was authored by Dr. Ndu Nwokolo and Dr. Chibuike Njoku.

It provides critical insights into the increasing complexity and lethality of the insurgency, highlighting 252 separate attacks within the five-month period, with January 2025 recording the highest number.

According to the findings, Boko Haram and its splinter factions—Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP)—have intensified their operations. These include the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), ambushes on military convoys, and coordinated raids on internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps and rural communities.

The insurgents reportedly seized control of three local government areas in Borno State, obstructing humanitarian access and challenging state authority.

The report also noted a surge in abductions, including of aid workers and schoolchildren, with April 2025 recording the highest number of kidnap victims.

Despite ongoing military operations and regional collaboration, the report criticizes Nigeria’s current counterinsurgency approach as overly reliant on military force. It emphasises that the persistence of violence is exacerbated by poverty, youth unemployment, lack of education, and weak coordination among security agencies.

“The disparity between the frequency and severity of attacks, particularly in January 2025 with 92 recorded deaths, points to a rise in the lethality of insurgent operations,” the report stated. “This escalation reflects a failure in deterrence and intelligence efforts.”

In addition, the report cites poor civil-military relations, reported human rights abuses, and inadequate reintegration strategies for former fighters as major hindrances to long-term stability.

It concludes by urging a shift towards a more holistic, community-based counterinsurgency framework that combines military action with governance reforms, socioeconomic investment, and inclusive dialogue.

The report underscores the urgent need for a more integrated and proactive national security strategy to address the resurgence of terrorism in Nigeria.