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

Period:

2018-2024
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