Nigeria’s insecurity is driven primarily by guns, with about seven out of ten bandit and terrorist attacks in Nigeria involving firearms

Firearms were used in about 70%% of all attacks, making them the single most important driver of violent insecurity in Nigeria.
14,782 attacks were recorded between 2018 and 2024, underscoring the scale of sustained armed violence.
Explosives accounted for 15% of incidents, showing continued but secondary use of IEDs and bombings.
Melee weapons made up 12%, reflecting close-range violence but far lower impact than gun attacks.

Between 2018 and 2024, firearms were used in 68% of all terrorist and bandit attacks, far outweighing explosives (15%) and melee weapons (12%). Out of 14,782 recorded attacks, guns were the primary tool of violence—highlighting how access to firearms, more than any other weapon type, is fueling persistent insecurity across the country.

Source:

Beacon Security & Intelligence

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Period:

2018-2024

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