Troops Kill 274 Insurgents As Nigeria Records 882 Attacks

Nigeria recorded 882 security incidents across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in June 2026, leaving at least 792 people dead, according to the latest Nigeria Monthly Security Overview released by SARI Global, a risk intelligence and security analysis company.

The report also stated that government forces killed 274 insurgents during security operations carried out across different parts of the country within the month.

According to the report, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) intensified its activities around the Monguno axis in northern Borno State, creating serious challenges for humanitarian operations by preventing relief supplies from reaching hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons.

The report identified Monguno, Cross Kauwa, Baga and Kukawa as the areas most affected by the renewed insurgent activities. It stated that ISWAP carried out night attacks on residential compounds while also burning vehicles transporting humanitarian supplies along the Monguno-Gajiram road during the day.

SARI Global’s monthly report is published through ReliefWeb, the humanitarian information platform managed by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

According to the findings, the first week of June recorded 217 security incidents. Violence increased during the second week, which witnessed 278 incidents and the highest number of deaths recorded throughout the month.

The report stated that June 8, 11, 13 and 14 experienced the highest level of violence as insurgent attacks, bandit activities and military operations occurred simultaneously in different parts of the country. Although security operations later reduced the pace of attacks, the level of violence remained high until the end of the month, especially across rural communities in the North-West.

One of the major incidents recorded during the month occurred on June 24 when ISWAP fighters reportedly entered the 20 Units Housing area in Monguno town at night and abducted an international non-governmental organisation worker alongside a local security guard. According to the report, the operation suggested that the insurgents had detailed knowledge of the location of humanitarian workers and the security arrangements protecting them.

A few days later, on June 29, suspected ISWAP members reportedly stopped vehicles along the Monguno-Gajiram road and set fire to two commercial trucks transporting humanitarian supplies. The report noted that another attack involving aid cargo had also taken place on June 18.

SARI Global stated that the destruction of food supplies appeared to be aimed at discouraging transport operators from working with humanitarian organisations while reducing the movement of essential items to internally displaced persons living in northern Borno.

The report warned that the attacks have made humanitarian workers unsafe during the night while also making supply routes dangerous during the day. It added that many transport operators have stopped using the affected road, increasing the possibility of delayed food deliveries during the current lean season.

Data contained in the report showed that government security agencies initiated the highest number of recorded incidents, accounting for 375 of the 882 cases through arrests, raids, seizures and other law enforcement activities.

The report also provided a breakdown of fatalities. Government forces accounted for 274 deaths, while non-state armed groups were responsible for 337 deaths. Unknown actors accounted for 86 deaths, civilians recorded 64 fatalities, criminal groups caused 30 deaths and political actors were linked to one fatality.

Although government forces were involved in the highest number of incidents, SARI Global stated that non-state armed groups caused more deaths despite participating in fewer attacks. According to the report, they carried out 224 incidents but accounted for 337 fatalities, representing about 42.5 per cent of all confirmed deaths recorded in June.

The report noted that unknown attackers remained difficult to identify, particularly in remote communities across the North-East and North-West, where 86 deaths were linked to incidents involving unidentified armed groups.

Borno State recorded the highest level of violence in June, with 109 incidents and 172 confirmed deaths. Most of the attacks occurred around the Lake Chad Basin, the Sambisa Forest area, Gwoza and several northern garrison towns.

Zamfara followed with 63 incidents, while Plateau recorded 51. Katsina had 44 incidents, Lagos recorded 40, the Federal Capital Territory had 36, Rivers recorded 32, while Oyo and Sokoto each recorded 31. Niger State recorded 29 incidents.

By category, criminal activities and law enforcement operations accounted for 369 incidents. Armed conflict followed with 297 incidents, while civil unrest accounted for 110 cases. Hazards made up 64 incidents, alongside other security-related events recorded during the month.

The report also raised concerns about attacks on educational institutions. On June 29, suspected ISWAP fighters reportedly attacked Government Day Secondary School in Lassa, located in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State. During the attack, students and teachers were abducted before the gunmen left with most of the victims in broad daylight.

SARI Global stated that the incident appeared to be designed to attract international attention while exposing weaknesses in local security. It warned that schools located near ISWAP strongholds should now be treated as areas facing a higher level of security risk.

The report added that the inability to detect the movement of the attackers before the assault pointed to weaknesses in surveillance systems, early warning mechanisms and community security networks. It advised government authorities and organisations involved in education and child protection programmes to strengthen security around schools instead of depending solely on existing government protection.

Another security concern identified in the report involved an attack on an international NGO worker during a food distribution exercise in Banki, Bama Local Government Area on June 5. According to SARI Global, the staff member was attacked by an individual who had been excluded from the list of beneficiaries.

The report described the incident as part of an increasing trend of violence linked to humanitarian aid distribution. It warned that food shortages expected during the lean season could increase tension and create more security risks during future relief exercises.

Across the North-West, the report recorded 67 insurgent-style attacks involving ambushes and improvised explosive devices. One of the incidents occurred on June 15 along the Bagega-Anka road in Zamfara State.

SARI Global stated that the spread of improvised explosive device attacks beyond the North-East into states such as Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto and Kebbi suggests that different armed groups may be adopting similar tactics, creating new threats for humanitarian operations and road users.

In southern Nigeria, Lagos, Rivers and Oyo recorded lower levels of violence, mainly involving criminal activities, protests and road traffic incidents.

The report also identified the Federal Capital Territory as an area experiencing growing political tension ahead of the 2027 general election. According to the report, most of the incidents recorded in Abuja involved civil unrest and crowd control operations.

Looking ahead, SARI Global projected that humanitarian challenges could worsen in July as food shortages increase while attacks on supply routes continue. The report warned that the gap between humanitarian needs and the ability to provide assistance may continue to widen if insecurity persists.