By Peace Erewunmi

A new security report has revealed that no fewer than 279 people were kidnapped and 842 others killed across Nigeria in May 2026, highlighting a significant rise in violent incidents nationwide.

The report, compiled from data in the Nigeria Violent Conflicts Database, recorded 156 violent incidents during the month, reflecting a worsening security situation in several parts of the country.

According to the findings, the number of violent incidents, fatalities, and kidnappings increased considerably compared to the same period in the previous year. Analysts noted that attacks linked to banditry, terrorism, communal clashes, and criminal gangs continued to affect communities across multiple states.

The report identified kidnapping as one of the major security challenges facing the country, with hundreds of victims abducted during the month despite ongoing military and law enforcement operations.

Researchers behind the report also expressed concern about the difficulty of measuring the effectiveness of peacebuilding and security intervention programmes, noting that many initiatives are implemented without clear indicators of their impact on community safety.

Security experts have repeatedly called for stronger intelligence gathering, improved coordination among security agencies, and greater investment in conflict prevention strategies to address the growing insecurity.

The findings come amid continued efforts by the Federal Government and security agencies to combat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes across the country. However, stakeholders insist that more needs to be done to protect vulnerable communities and reduce the human cost of insecurity.

As of the time of filing this report, authorities had not issued an official response to the latest figures, while security analysts continue to monitor developments across affected regions.