No fewer than 835 people lost their lives in 612 security-related incidents across Nigeria in October, with armed groups accounting for a significant proportion of the violence, a new report has shown.
The October security assessment by intelligence firm, SARI Global, revealed that attacks and fatalities increased considerably during the month, with bandits and insurgents identified as major sources of insecurity.
According to the findings, the number of violent incidents rose by 14 per cent from 535 recorded in September, while the death toll increased by 42 per cent from 587 in the previous month.
The report attributed 480 deaths in 221 incidents to non-state armed groups, while government-affiliated security forces were associated with 197 fatalities across 218 incidents.
Zamfara topped the list of states with the most security incidents, recording 69 attacks and 137 deaths. Borno had the highest casualty figure, with 180 people killed in 51 incidents, mainly during confrontations between ISWAP fighters and military personnel around the Lake Chad area.
Plateau recorded 65 incidents and 62 deaths, while Katsina had 37 incidents. Kebbi, Lagos, Sokoto, Niger, Rivers and Benue were also listed among the states with notable security challenges.
In Taraba State, at least 62 people were reportedly killed and 52 injured when gunmen attacked Binnari community in Karim Lamido Local Government Area on October 23. The assailants reportedly invaded a market, a mosque and a vigilante office.
The assessment also raised concerns over bandit attacks along the Gusau-Dansadau road in Zamfara, where nine vehicles were reportedly destroyed and communities in Dansadau District faced a N50m demand. It also documented the October 26 killing of Islamic scholar, Sheikh Yahaya Ibrahim Masussuka, in Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, an incident claimed by Ansaru.
Other reported incidents included the murder of a female humanitarian worker in Sokoto, the looting of an NGO-run health centre in Ngala, Borno State, and an attack on a residential facility accommodating seven Nigerian United Nations employees in Maiduguri.
The security firm warned that the targeting of aid workers and humanitarian facilities was making it increasingly difficult for relief organisations to reach vulnerable communities.
It also documented 46 incidents involving political parties, campaign activities and political thugs, noting that political-related violence was emerging amid preparations for the 2027 general elections.
