Nigeria is still the third most terrorised country in the world, according to the 2018 Global Terrorism Index.
The report, released on Wednesday, blamed the spate of terrorism in Nigeria and the โincrease in violence involving Fulani extremists, even as deaths committed by Boko Haram are fallingโ.
Nigeria is ranked only below Iraq and Afghanistan, both in first and second positions.
In 2018 alone, hundreds of Nigerians have been killed in attacks by suspected herdsmen as well as clashes between the herders and farmers/communities.
States worst hit in the attacks are Plateau, Benue, Zamfara, Taraba and others.
The report, however, noted that when compared to the peak of โterrorist deathsโ in 2014, โthe largest falls in the number of deaths occurred in Iraq, Nigeria, and Pakistan, with falls of 6,466, 5,950 and 912 deaths respectivelyโ.
It added: โBoko Haram, once the worldโs deadliest terror group, has experienced a significant decline since its peak in 2014. However, the group remains the most active terrorist organisation in Nigeria and until 2017, was the deadliest terror group in sub-Saharan Africa,โ the report said.
โNigeriaโs counterterrorism response in combatting Boko Haram has been interrupted by the emergence of other extremist groups, most notably the Fulani herder extremists.
โThe Fulani herder extremists have attacked civilians and military forces in the country. However, the sizeable drop in deaths and terror incidents since 2014 indicate the success of Nigeriaโs Civilian Join Task Force and international coalitions.
โAlongside its counterinsurgency plan, the Nigerian government also struggles with negotiations and reintegration efforts regarding its long-term strategy to deal with Boko Haram and its associates.โ
