Nigeria’s ranking on terrorism index list improves, as Boko Haram killings drop

Nigeria’s Global Terrorism Index (GTI), has improved with the country moving up to the sixth position as killings and insurgency perpetrated by Boko Haram terrorists dipped by 72%, according to a report released on Friday by an independent terrorism research body, the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP).

In the report, Nigeria’s move came as a result of the successes recorded in the fight against the Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgents in 2021, making it the first time the country’s ranking would improve since 2017.

According to the IEP, Nigeria, Syria, and Somalia are the only nations, among the 10 most affected by terrorism, to get an improved score from 2020 to 2021.

“Going by our records, there was a decline in the number of terrorism-related deaths in Nigeria. This could be attributed to the death of the Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, and the Federal Government’s efforts at defeating the group,” the report noted.

“Total deaths from terrorism in Nigeria fell to 448 in 2021, the lowest level since 2011. Terror-related casualties dropped by almost half compared with the previous year.

“However, the number of terrorist attacks increased by 49 per cent between 2020 and 2021. 36% of attacks were claimed by ISWAP/Boko Haram as being responsible, while 44% were not attributed to any group.

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“In 2020, ISWAP became the deadliest terrorist group in Nigeria. The decline of Boko Haram continued into 2021, with Boko Haram responsible for only 69 deaths, a decrease of 77 percent from the previous year.

“This is the lowest number of deaths by the group for a decade. Boko Haram’s decline has resulted in a substantial improvement in Borno State, which experienced a decrease of 71% in terrorism deaths when compared with the prior year.

“Attacks in the state also decreased from 121 to 86 respectively, a decrease of 30%, but the state however, remains the hardest-hit region in Nigeria for terrorism, accounting for half of all terror-related deaths in 2021.

“Boko Haram’s decline coincides with a number of factors, most significantly the death of the group’s leader, Abubakar Shekau in May 2021.

“Given the demise of their leader, Shekau’s followers were faced with the decision to either continue Shekau’s ideology or join ISWAP.

“It has been reported that many former Boko Haram commanders have joined ISWAP after Shekau’s death. Attacks by ISWAP as well as counter-terrorism efforts by the Nigerian government and foreign military forces have significantly weakened Boko Haram’s impact in Nigeria,” the report said.

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