A new report, the Global Terrorism Index, has ranked Nigeria the third
terrorism most impacted country in the world.
According to the report, which was released on Wednesday, the number of
deaths attributed to Boko Haram in the country increased by 25 percent
from 2018 to 2019.
This year’s report ranked Nigeria for the sixth consecutive time since
2015 as the third country with the worst impact from terrorism,
globally.
Afghanistan is top on the list, followed by Iraq.
Syria, Somalia, and Yemen are ranked fourth, fifth, and sixth
respectively.
GTI said despite the rise in the number of casualties from Boko Haram
attacks in the North-East, Nigeria was the second to record a fall in
violent deaths after Afghanistan in 2019.
The report indicates that Nigeria remains the most terrorised country in
Africa with huge economic and financial losses.
Excerpts from the report read: “Nigeria had the second largest fall in
total deaths, owing largely to a 72 percent reduction in fatalities
attributed to Fulani extremists.
“Despite this decrease, the number of deaths attributed to Boko Haram
increased by 25 percent from 2018 to 2019. Renewed activity by Boko
Haram in Nigeria and neighbouring countries, including Cameroon, Chad,
and Niger, remains a substantial threat to the region.
“In 2019, Boko Haram carried out 11 suicide bombings causing 68
fatalities. Suicide bombings accounted for six percent of all
terror-related incidents by Boko Haram in 2019, marking an 89 per cent
decline from their peak in 2017. Boko Haram was responsible for
Nigeria’s deadliest terrorist attack in 2019 when assailants attacked a
funeral in Badu, Borno State.
“At least 70 people were killed and 10 others were wounded in the attack
and ensuing clash. The two main factions of Boko Haram, the Islamic
State West African Province and the followers of Abubakar Shekau, are
both engaged in an insurgency campaign against the Nigerian Government.
“Violence by the two main factions of Boko Haram has taken a large toll
on the civilian population, particularly in North-East Nigeria, where
continued attacks have internally displaced more than two million people
and caused a further 240,000 Nigerian refugees to flee to neighbouring
countries.”