Terrorists killed 835 in October – Report

In October 2026, terrorist incidents in Nigeria resulted in a staggering 835 fatalities, as reported by SARI Global. Armed bandits and insurgents emerged as the most frequent and deadliest actors in the country, marking a significant deterioration in security. The report highlighted a 14% increase in incidents and a 42% surge in fatalities compared to September, which was described as the sharpest monthly escalation in lethality observed recently.

Key incidents included a market-day massacre in Taraba State, sustained road blockades in Zamfara State, and the assassination of a cleric in Katsina State. Both government-affiliated forces and non-state armed actors contributed to the fatalities, with non-state armed actors initiating 221 incidents and causing 480 deaths, a reversal from previous months.

Zamfara State was identified as the most incident-dense, while Katsina followed with notable fatalities. The report also noted a growing trend of targeting religious authorities and shrinking humanitarian spaces, with notable assassinations and looting incidents.