By George OZALLA
In a shocking report by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Nigeria witnessed a significant surge in violence in the first six months of 2025. According to the NHRC, 2,266 people were killed and 857 were kidnapped between January and June 2025. This death toll surpasses the total number of people killed throughout 2024 (2,194).
The month of June was particularly deadly, with 606 fatalities, including nearly 200 people murdered in coordinated attacks on Yelewata and Dauda communities in Benue State. The report also highlights the tragic loss of security personnel – over 17 military officers were killed in Kaduna and Niger States, and more than 40 Civilian Joint Task Force operatives were slain in Zamfara State.
NHRC Executive Secretary Tony Ojukwu described these figures as “far more than statistics”. He emphasized that these were “fathers, mothers, children, and breadwinners; families torn apart, livelihoods destroyed, and futures extinguished in moments of senseless brutality”. Ojukwu urged the federal government to take immediate and decisive action to stem the rising tide of violence across the country.
Despite the disturbing report, many critics have continued to argue that Nigeria is “at war” due to the security situation troubling the country almost on daily basis.
