Nigeria records 331 civilian casualties from explosive violence in 2025, a 31% decrease from previous year
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
A new global report by Action on Armed Violence AOAV indicates that 331 civilians were killed and injured in Nigeria in 2025 due to explosive violence, a 31% reduction from the 482 casualties recorded in 2024. Of the 331 victims, 179 were fatalities. Non-state actors were responsible for 85% of these civilian casualties. Globally, AOAV documented 49,814 deaths and injuries from explosive weapons in 2025, with 45,362 of these being civilians, accounting for 91% of all casualties. Worldwide, 17,614 civilians were killed by explosive weapons in 2025. Despite an 18% decrease in global incidents of explosive weapons use, civilian casualties fell by 24%, and civilian fatalities dropped by 27% compared to 2024. Ukraine experienced the highest number of explosive weapons incidents, making up 39% of all documented attacks, with 14,724 civilians killed and injured. Gaza recorded the highest number of civilian fatalities globally with 9,002 deaths. The report also noted a sharp increase in civilian harm in Iran and Thailand, with Iran's 50% increase in civilian casualties largely linked to the June 2025 conflict between Iran and Israel.
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Must ReadTroops of Operation Hadin Kai rescued 47 individuals, primarily women and children, from an Islamic State West Africa Province ISWAP enclave in Kangarwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State on June 20. Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North-East Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Mohammed Goni, stated that the rescue followed sustained military offensives against terrorist hideouts in the Lake Chad region. He explained that intensified ground and air assaults forced insurgents to abandon their positions, allowing the captives to escape. The rescued persons are currently receiving medical attention and humanitarian support at a secure location, with plans for their reintegration. Goni emphasized the military's commitment to protecting civilians and weakening terrorist networks, vowing to continue operations to dismantle remaining cells and restore peace to the North-East. Borno State has been a focal point of insurgency for over a decade, with the military recently intensifying operations across the Lake Chad basin and Sambisa axis.
Erling Haaland scored two goals, leading Norway to a 3-2 victory over Senegal and securing their spot in the World Cup last 32. Substitute Marcus Holmgren Pedersen opened the scoring for Norway in the first half, with Haaland extending their lead after the break. Although Ismaila Sarr reduced the deficit for Senegal, Haaland capitalized on defensive errors to score again. Sarr scored a late consolation goal, but Norway held on for the win. Haaland now has four goals in two tournament games. Norway, with only one loss in their last 18 matches, will face France for the top spot in their group. Senegal must defeat Iraq in their final game to have a chance of avoiding an early exit. Norway's dominant performance, featuring Haaland's 59th and 60th international goals in 52 games, marked their first back-to-back World Cup wins. Key moments included Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy making several saves, but a mistake from captain Kalidou Koulibaly led to Pedersen's goal. Haaland scored his first goal after a counter-attack, set up by Martin Odegaard. Sarr responded for Senegal, but Koulibaly's failure to clear allowed Haaland to score his second. Despite a late goal from Sarr, Norway secured their progression, joining France in the knockout rounds.
Nigerians residing in the United Kingdom have lauded the Federal Government's recent passport reforms, particularly the contactless renewal system, for significantly reducing delays and streamlining the passport delivery process. Introduced in November 2024, the new system enables eligible individuals to renew expired or exhausted passports from home, eliminating the need for physical visits to the Nigerian High Commission. Testimonies from various Nigerian community members across the UK, as reported by the Ministry of Interior, highlight a stark contrast to previous experiences marked by frustrating delays, extensive travel, and bureaucratic hurdles. Timileyin Gbenga, a Nigerian community figure in Birmingham, noted that while the traditional process took over six months and required travel for biometrics, the contactless method for a family member resulted in passport delivery in less than two weeks. He credited the transformation to the leadership of Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo under President Bola Tinubu's administration. Gbenga Ogunderu, based in Coventry, described the initiative as a significant digital shift, allowing applications and doorstep delivery without stress, often within two weeks. Dr. Adekunle Shonola, a senior lecturer at Coventry University and president of Nigerians in Coventry, recalled the previous necessity of traveling from Coventry to London for biometrics, a process that often took over six months. He observed that community members no