Nigeria recorded its highest terrorism-related fatalities in 2014 and 2015, with 2,101 and 2,003 deaths respectively.
Fatalities fell sharply after the peak years, but Nigeria has still averaged over 600 terrorism deaths annually since then.
Hostage incidents have become more prominent, reaching a series high of 455 hostages in 2024.
The data shows Nigeria’s terrorism problem has shifted from peak insurgency-era mass fatalities to persistent violence involving killings, kidnappings, and hostage-taking.
Nigeria’s 2026 defence budget is $3.9 billion, placing it far below the top global spenders.
It is just 0.5% of the US’ $831.5 billion budget, highlighting a massive scale difference.
Compared to China ($303 billion), Nigeria’s budget is only 1.3%.
Nigeria’s allocation equals 1.8% of Russia’s $212.6 billion allocation.
Even a mid-tier top spender like Australia ($57.4 billion) has a budget almost 15x Nigeria’s.
Nigeria’s budget is only 3.6% of India’s $109 billion defence allocation.
European powers such as the UK ($88.5 billion), France ($67.2 billion), and Germany ($127.4 billion) all have defence budgets that dwarf Nigeria’s allocation
The U.S Department of Homeland Security specifies that the data reflects the “worst of the worst” criminal aliens arrested by ICE, not general immigration arrests.
Nigeria leads the list with 40 arrests, the highest among all African nationals reported.
Somalia (27) and Liberia (21) follow, forming a concentrated top tier.
Most countries report fewer than 10 arrests, showing a sharp decline beyond the top group.