Tracing the Escalation of Bombing Incidents Across Nigeria: 2010-2025

Over the last decade and a half, Nigeria’s security environment has deteriorated markedly, with bomb attacks evolving from sporadic events into a widespread and multifaceted threat. An in-depth analysis of bombing occurrences from 2010 through 2025 highlights a dramatic shift-from insurgent-led assaults concentrated in the Northeast to a complex web of violence involving separatist factions, criminal gangs, ethnic militias, and unidentified perpetrators spanning nearly every region of the country.

From Insurgency to Nationwide Turmoil: The Early Years

Between 2010 and 2015, the security landscape was largely shaped by a dominant insurgent group infamous for its ruthless bombing campaigns. This group primarily targeted densely populated urban areas and government facilities, orchestrating coordinated attacks that resulted in significant casualties. Key bombings during this period occurred in Plateau State (2010), Abuja (2011 and 2012), Kaduna (2012), and recurrent assaults in Borno State, which remained the most bomb-affected region throughout the entire timeframe.

Fragmentation and Tactical Evolution: The Rise of ISWAP

By 2016, the insurgency underwent a critical transformation. The original group splintered, giving rise to rival factions, notably the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). This faction, more structured and ideologically aligned with global jihadist networks, intensified the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in strategic locations across the Northeast. Bombings in Borno during 2016, 2017, and multiple incidents in 2018 demonstrated ISWAP’s sustained operational capacity. Unlike earlier indiscriminate attacks, these bombings were often calculated strikes against vulnerable civilian targets and occasional military convoys.

Expanding Frontiers: The Spread Beyond the Northeast

While Boko Haram and ISWAP dominated the early and mid-2010s, the security situation diversified significantly from 2023 onward. Bombing incidents began to surface in regions previously considered relatively stable, signaling a troubling expansion of violence. For instance, a bombing in Kogi State in January 2023 marked a rare attack in Nigeria’s central region, while a March 2024 explosion in Zamfara State in the Northwest was attributed to ISWAP, underscoring the group’s geographic spread.

The frequency and dispersion of bombings escalated sharply in 2024 and 2025. April 2025 witnessed simultaneous bombings in Imo (Southeast), Benue (Northcentral), and Yobe (Northeast), suggesting either coordinated efforts among multiple groups or parallel operations. March 2025 alone recorded five separate bombings across Abia, Sokoto, Borno, Cross River, and Kaduna states, highlighting both the geographic breadth and operational sophistication of these attacks.

Emergence of New Threat Actors: Criminal Gangs and Separatist Militias

Beyond Islamist insurgents, the data reveals increasing involvement of criminal bandits, ethnic militias, and separatist groups in bomb-related violence. Unidentified gunmen have been linked to bombings in Benue (April 2025), Cross River (March 2025), and Kogi (January 2023), indicating a rise in non-ideological actors employing explosives for territorial control or ethnic conflicts.

Particularly notable is the rise of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the Southeast. Bombings attributed to IPOB in Imo State during February and April 2025, as well as an attack in Enugu State in February 2024, mark a significant shift. These incidents reflect the adoption of violent tactics traditionally associated with Islamist insurgents by separatist movements driven by political and ethnic grievances.

Regional Hotspots and Actor Profiles

Borno State remains the epicenter of Nigeria’s bombing crisis, recording at least 11 incidents from 2010 to 2025-more than any other state. Kaduna and Zamfara also feature prominently, with repeated attacks over the years. The year 2025 alone saw coordinated bombings in Kaduna, Katsina, Imo, and Zamfara, underscoring the operational reach of multiple groups.

Religious extremist groups, primarily Boko Haram and ISWAP, account for approximately a dozen attacks, mostly concentrated in the Northeast. Armed bandits have demonstrated increased sophistication, responsible for at least three bombings, while separatist factions and Fulani militias have also entered the conflict landscape, further complicating Nigeria’s security challenges.

Implications of the Widening Bombing Crisis

The proliferation of bombings across diverse regions and actors signals a troubling evolution in Nigeria’s security dynamics. The convergence of criminal, political, and ethnic motivations behind these attacks complicates efforts to detect, prevent, and respond effectively. The uniform adoption of explosive tactics by disparate groups not only broadens the geographic scope of violence but also heightens the unpredictability and lethality of attacks.

According to recent security reports, Nigeria experienced a 35% increase in bombing incidents between 2023 and 2025 compared to the previous five years, reflecting this alarming trend. The growing use of IEDs by non-traditional actors underscores the urgent need for enhanced intelligence-sharing, community engagement, and targeted counterterrorism strategies.

By: James Odunayo