Ripplesmetrics ,, Nigerian security crisis: 824 Killed by security forces, 242 police officers were reported by non-state actors

Analysis of the Police Death Tracking (2023-2025) and the brutality report of security forces (2020-2025), curated by SBM intelligence, has shown a crisis of deepening within the Nigerian security framework.

Between October 2020 and July 2025, Nigerian security agents were responsible for 598 violent incidents against civilians, which resulted in 824 deaths. Simultaneously, from 2023 to 2025, police officers themselves were targeted, suffering from 255 incidents and 242 deaths in the hands of non-state actors in all federations.

Data shows how police officers are under the siege of violence from armed groups, while the same security institutions are increasingly brutal residents they are supposed to protect.

The overlapping violent cycle questions the effectiveness of the current security strategy. Poor welfare, lack of training, impunity, and rules of outdated involvement all contribute to a security system that turns against itself.

Recently, Omoyle Sowore’s human rights activist issued a strong call to improve welfare for Nigerian police personnel, warning that officers who serve can hold national protests if their conditions remain unchanged.

Police Victims: Attacks on Officers Intensify

Data for 2023-2025 underlines the disturbing trends: Nigerian police have become the main target in the landscape of widening of insecurity. Southeast recorded the highest number of attacks on the police, contributing 86 incidents. Northern middle followed by 75, while south south experienced 66.

By the state, Borno recorded the highest police death in 27, followed by Anambra (26 deaths out of 22 incidents) and Zamfara (21 incidents, 21 deaths). Even relatively stable city centers such as lagos are not immune, with 10 officers killed in 11 incidents.

This wave of violence reflects the influence of groups such as separatists, bandits, jihadist factions, and “unknown armed men,” who donated most of the deaths of the police. Year-to-year data revealed persistent escalation: 110 attacks targeted by the police in 2023, 111 in 2024, and 34 were recorded in mid-20125.

Deadly retaliation: Security forces revive civilians
While officers face increased threats, the other side of the coin is the same as burdensome. Between 2020 and 2025, the Nigerian security agency was involved in 598 incidents of violence against civilians, which resulted in 824 deaths. The Nigerian Police itself is responsible for 317 incidents and 303 deaths, making it the most involved institution.

The state of Lagos took the peak of Brutal Bagan, recording 88 incidents and 65 deaths of civilians, followed by the territory of the Federal Capital (FCT) with 36 deaths due to 36 incidents, and delta with 35 deaths.

The southern southern zone emerged as the most affected region, with 194 deaths, followed by southwest (159 deaths) and North Central (127 deaths). This pattern shows a severe response by security agents in the zone also wrestling with militia violence, oil theft, and political riots.

Outside the police, other troops are also responsible for civilian casualties: Nigerian army (149 deaths), FRSC (9 deaths), NSCDC (7), and even EFCC (6 deaths). The paramilitary and vigilante group itself, including Ebube AGU in the Southeast, also contributes to an increase in the amount.

Both data reveals tragic paradoxes in the Nigerian law enforcement system. Security personnel are covered by violent actors, while also attacking civilians in unprotected actions and frustration.

For example, in Anambra, the police recorded 22 attacks with 26 deaths, while the same country witnessed 31 security forces of the security forces against civilians. In the highlands, 24 civilians were killed by security forces, but the state also reported 5 police deaths from 6 attacks.

The numbers also show the spread of violence to a state that was previously not volatile. Ebonyi, Taraba, Nasarawa, and Benue all reported many incidents of police deaths, while citizens in countries such as Abia, Gombe, and Bayelsa suffered deaths at the hands of security operations.

As shown by these numbers, Nigerian security crisis is no longer a one-sided war against terror or bandits-that is a conflict where both security agents and civilians are locked in fear and disbelief. With more than 1,000 deaths combined from both trends in less than five years, costs in human life increase rapidly.

By: James Odunayo