Abductions tied to extremist violence in Nigeria jumped 153% in the final quarter of 2025, according to a new Open Doors report that warns insecurity may be worsening again after several years of relative stabilization.
What the report found
Open Doors’ Nigeria at the Crossroads reports 3,415 people abducted between October and December 2025, up from 1,352 during the same period in 2024. The group also recorded 1,735 civilian killings in the last quarter of 2025—an increase of 51% from 1,148 a year earlier.
The report says violence attributed to militant Fulani groups now accounts for substantially more killings and abductions than attacks by Boko Haram, despite Boko Haram’s higher international profile.
Open Doors says killings and abductions by extremist groups reached a high point in 2021 before declining or stabilizing for several years. The sharp rise recorded toward the end of 2025 suggests that period “may be coming to an end.”
Who is being targeted
Between October 2023 and December 2025, Open Doors says Christians remained among those who suffered substantial loss of life, and it also recorded an increase in Muslim victims. The pattern of abductions has shifted: while Christians previously accounted for more recorded kidnapping victims, from the 2024 reporting period onward, the number of Muslims abducted exceeded the number of Christians, according to the report.
Displacement and humanitarian risk
Open Doors raises concern about the humanitarian fallout. It says almost 4 million Nigerians are currently displaced and cautions that continuing violence and impunity could make it increasingly difficult for displaced communities to return home.
Calls for action
Jane Boswell, Senior Advocacy Officer at Open Doors International, said: “Our research shows that violence in Nigeria appears to be on the increase again. However, with decisive intervention from the Nigerian government, it is possible to alter the trajectory.” She urged authorities to strengthen security, prosecute those responsible, and enable safe returns for displaced people.
“Sustained international attention and pressure on Nigeria is also vital to ensure that justice is upheld and impunity is brought to an end,” Boswell said. “The future of so many citizens—particularly in the north of Nigeria—hangs in the balance. It is imperative that the Nigerian government seizes this moment and sets a clear path towards protection, justice and restoration.”
The report acknowledges government efforts to confront violence but warns they will have limited effect without sustained political commitment and accountability. “If current trends of violence and impunity continue, displacement will deepen and the prospects for return will recede further,” it states. “If Nigerian government efforts to address insecurity are strengthened, supported by consistent international pressure and partnership, there remains a pathway towards greater security, justice, and a genuine ‘road home’ for displaced communities.”
Political backdrop
Christian Today reported that Nigeria’s security crisis drew heightened political attention late last year: in October 2025, Donald Trump, as U.S. president, re-categorized Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over religious freedom issues; the following month, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu announced a national security emergency after a series of mass abductions involving students and teachers.
Open Doors ranking
Nigeria ranks 7th on Open Doors’ 2026 World Watch List of countries where Christians face the most severe persecution.
