Risk of mass murder in Nigeria 2017-2023
Nigeria is the second country in sub-Saharan Africa as well as in the whole of Africa at risk of genocide. Worldwide, Nigeria ranked sixth as of 2023. The risk percentage of mass killing stood at 7.9 percent, about seven times higher than the global average. Many different forms of violence and conflicts are often ongoing in Nigeria, mainly in the North due to the rooted presence of Boko Haram. In addition, different armed groups are operating in the country, like those in the Niger Delta and South-East Zone.
Nevertheless, the source does not consider violence caused by those running conflicts and separatist movements as criteria for mass killings. Despite the high number of deaths caused by terrorism, these groups do not act against a particular group of civilians. According to the source, Nigeria's high position in the ranking is determined by criteria which include its large population of over 200 million people, its high child mortality rate, the ongoing battle-related deaths, the country's history of mass killing, and its degree of ethnic fractionalization.
Nevertheless, the source does not consider violence caused by those running conflicts and separatist movements as criteria for mass killings. Despite the high number of deaths caused by terrorism, these groups do not act against a particular group of civilians. According to the source, Nigeria's high position in the ranking is determined by criteria which include its large population of over 200 million people, its high child mortality rate, the ongoing battle-related deaths, the country's history of mass killing, and its degree of ethnic fractionalization.
