NATIONAL: Nigeria ranks 3rd in global terrorism index

Boko Haram death toll rose 25% from 2018 to 2019

NIGERIA has been ranked third in the record of the most ravaged countries hit by terrorism in the world, the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) report has revealed.

According to the report released on Thursday, Nigeria came behind Afghanistan and Iraq on the table showing 10 countries where terrorism is rife.

Apart from Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, is the other country that made the list from Africa. DR Congo, despite the ongoing turmoil in the country, came distant 10th.

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 6% of all terror-related incidents by Boko Haram in 2019, marking an 89% 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.

“Violence by the two main factions of Boko Haram have taken a large toll on the civilian population, particularly in the North-East, where continued attacks have internally displaced more than two million people and caused a further 240,000 Nigerian refugees to flee to neighbouring countries.”

“The two main factions of Boko Haram, the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) and the followers of Abubakar Shekau, are both engaged in an insurgency campaign against the Nigerian government.