Violence Escalates in Nigeria as Elections Approach, Jihadist Groups Expand

Nigeria is facing heightened violence from various armed groups as the country prepares for elections in January. Assaults in the northeast have killed high-ranking military officers, and security analysts have noted the growing presence of foreign jihadist groups in the western regions.

Insecurity in Nigeria includes activities by kidnapping gangs, conflicts between farmers and herders, a separatist movement in the southeast, and a jihadist insurgency ongoing for 17 years.

The president, who is seeking re-election in January, has focused on economic reforms and has overseen the deployment of U.S. troops to Nigeria amid international attention on the violence. A senator from northeastern Borno state stated that there has been an increase in violence, including killings of civilians and military personnel, as well as kidnappings.

Approximately 400 residents from the village of Ngoshe in Borno state are being held captive by jihadists following a kidnapping earlier this month, according to the senator.

Nigeria's jihadist conflict began with an uprising in 2009 and peaked about a decade ago when groups controlled large territories. Security forces are now combating multiple splinter jihadist groups, some of which are rivals. Researchers report that the conflict has intensified over the past year, with two brigadier generals killed in the last five months.

Two suicide bombings occurred in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state, including one at a mosque in December. Data from the U.S.-based monitor ACLED indicates that 4,518 people were killed in jihadist incidents in 2025, the highest number since 2015.

This count includes civilians, state forces, other armed groups, and jihadists. In Borno state, more than 500 civilians were reportedly killed by jihadist groups in 2025, compared to 299 in 2024, according to ACLED.

The senator attributed part of the violence increase to revenge attacks following a state of emergency declared in November, which intensified military operations. A retired director of Nigeria's domestic intelligence agency stated that attacks tend to surge ahead of elections and noted that the government's efforts to halt the violence remain to be evaluated.

U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized Nigerian authorities for insufficient protection of Christians, a perspective that experts say oversimplifies the situation where civilians of various religions are affected. This criticism has led to increased arms deals, intelligence sharing, and the deployment of U.S. troops for training missions in Nigeria.

Since 2019, Nigeria's military strategy has involved concentrating soldiers in fortified super camps, leaving rural areas vulnerable. Jihadist groups, such as Islamic State West Africa Province, have adapted by using night-vision equipment and drones to attack garrison towns successfully.

The government has implemented reforms, including the creation of a new Forest Guard service and an order to reassign police from private security duties for VIPs. However, an Abuja-based researcher stated that the police reassignment policy has only been implemented on paper.

A spokesman for the president did not respond to requests for comment.

Analysts have warned that two major jihadist groups from the Sahel region are establishing themselves in western Nigeria. Videos emerged earlier this month showing militants from these groups fighting each other in Kebbi state. The groups have not officially claimed the conflict, though such inter-jihadist clashes are rarely announced.

A researcher with the Soufan Centre stated that these groups can operate freely in the border areas of Niger, Nigeria, and Benin. The researcher noted that one group appears to be strengthening its presence in northwest Nigeria to consolidate links with another jihadist faction in the northeast.