A new report by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) has revealed that Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) were responsible for 66% of all violent deaths in Nigeria in 2024.
The report highlights that militant Islamist violence in the Lake Chad Basin, primarily driven by Boko Haram and ISWAP, led to 3,627 fatalities last year. This made the region the third deadliest for militant violence in Africa, behind the Sahel and Somalia.
Northeast Nigeria: The Epicenter of Violence
Despite a slight 4% decline in fatalities compared to 2023, Northeast Nigeria remained the hardest-hit region in the country. The report noted that while Boko Haram and ISWAP often engage in internal conflicts, they have expanded their operations into northern Cameroon, where violent incidents surged by 51%.
For the first time, Cameroon recorded more militant Islamist-linked attacks than Nigeria, with 711 incidents compared to Nigeria’s 592. Security experts warn that the increasing cross-border activities of these groups pose a serious regional threat, undermining joint military efforts by both Nigerian and Cameroonian forces.
Despite sustained military campaigns, Boko Haram and ISWAP have continued to adapt their tactics, making it difficult for security agencies to contain their activities.
Wider Regional Threats
Beyond Nigeria, the report also highlighted that the Sahel remained Africa’s most violent region for the fourth consecutive year, accounting for 55% of all militant Islamist-related fatalities on the continent. An estimated 10,400 deaths were recorded in 2024, largely driven by attacks from the Islamic State in the Sahel (IS Sahel) and the al-Qaida-affiliated Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM).
Burkina Faso was the worst affected, recording 61% of all militant Islamist-related deaths in the Sahel. One of the deadliest attacks of the year occurred in September when JNIM massacred up to 400 people in the Burkinabe town of Barsalogho.
In contrast, Somalia saw a 41% decline in militant Islamist-related fatalities in 2024, with 4,482 deaths reported. This drop was attributed to reduced al-Shabaab activity, despite isolated attacks such as the Mogadishu beach assault that killed 32 people.
Growing Concern Over Boko Haram, ISWAP Resilience
Despite regional variations in militant violence, security analysts warn that Boko Haram and ISWAP’s sustained operations in Nigeria and neighboring countries remain a major concern. Their ability to adapt and expand their reach continues to pose significant challenges to both national and regional security efforts.
