No fewer than 152 security operatives, including military personnel, police officers, and members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, have been killed in Nigeria between January 2 and May 13, 2025.
According to The PUNCH, the alarming figure, compiled from media reports and data by SBM Intelligence, reflects the mounting security challenges facing the nation’s frontline forces.
The casualty toll—likely higher due to underreporting in volatile areas—highlights the persistent threat posed by non-state actors, with security analysts warning that repeated attacks point to systemic intelligence failures.
“These figures are deeply troubling,” said security expert Oladele Fajana. “For these assaults to continually succeed, especially on military installations, it suggests a dangerous gap in intelligence gathering. If this persists, the implications for national security could be catastrophic.”
Major incidents recorded during the period include multiple ambushes in Borno State, where Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters killed several soldiers and destroyed military equipment. On January 26, a suicide bombing in Malam Fatori claimed the lives of 27 soldiers. More recently, a deadly assault on May 13 in Marte, Borno, reportedly left over ten soldiers dead.
In addition to military casualties, the civilian population has suffered devastating losses. A separate report by Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited recorded 4,702 civilian deaths and 3,739 abductions from January to April 2025.
“The numbers are staggering,” said Dr. Kabir Adams, Managing Director of Beacon Security. “It is difficult to justify any positive rating for the current security leadership. The Nigerian security architecture spans 29 agencies—yet the result on the ground is weak public safety and strong political rhetoric.”
On May 10, President Bola Tinubu, through Vice President Kashim Shettima, unveiled two new Augusta A-109 Trekker helicopters for the Nigerian Air Force, describing the move as a strategic boost in the fight against insurgency.
“This induction demonstrates our collective resolve to defend our nation and reinforces Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa,” the President said.
However, not all experts are convinced. Dr. Adams suggested that the overstretched military may need support from local private military contractors (PMCs), but warned that such partnerships must align with national security policy.
Security analyst Jackson Ojo was more critical, citing poor leadership and a lack of political will. He referenced a gruesome incident in Zamfara where bandits allegedly fed infants to dogs, lamenting the government’s failure to prevent such atrocities.
“Nigerians are losing faith in the state’s ability to protect them,” Ojo said. “When citizens begin to see self-help as their only option, the consequences are dire.”
Ojo also questioned the competence of Defence Minister Abubakar Badaru and Minister of State Bello Matawalle, arguing that their lack of military experience hampers effective decision-making. He further urged the government to prioritise the welfare of security personnel.
“A soldier distracted by unpaid school fees back home cannot fully focus on the battlefield,” he added.