Civilian casualties from explosive weapons in Nigeria fell by 31% in 2025, Action on Armed Violence said in a report [2].
The decline suggests a reduction in the scale of explosive-weapon violence across the country. While the trend is downward, the continued loss of life highlights the ongoing security challenges facing Nigerian populations.
Data from the reporting organization shows that there were 331 total civilian casualties in 2025 [1]. This figure includes 179 fatalities [1]. The report said that this represents a significant drop from the previous year, when Nigeria recorded 482 casualties in 2024 [2].
The report attributes the decrease to a general reduction in explosive-weapon violence within the country's borders. The organization tracks these metrics to monitor the impact of conflict on non-combatants, specifically focusing on the use of bombs and shells.
Nigeria has struggled for years with various forms of armed conflict, including insurgencies and communal violence. The use of explosive weapons in populated areas often leads to high casualty rates among civilians who are not involved in the fighting.
“Civilian casualties from explosive weapons in Nigeria fell by 31% in 2025”
The reduction in casualties indicates a shift in the intensity or nature of conflict in Nigeria. While a 31% decrease is a positive statistical trend, the fact that 179 civilians died in 2025 shows that explosive weapons remain a lethal threat to the population. This data provides a benchmark for evaluating the effectiveness of current security strategies and the stability of affected regions.
