As December 31, 2025, marks the end of a harrowing year, Nigeria has been scarred by a series of devastating tragedies that claimed hundreds of lives, displaced thousands, and exposed deep vulnerabilities in infrastructure, security, and climate preparedness.
These events, driven by natural forces, human error, and persistent violence, tested the nation’s resilience like never before. Here are the five most catastrophic tragedies that defined the year in grief and loss.
The Devastating Mokwa Floods (May 2025)
The deadliest single disaster struck the market town of Mokwa in Niger State when torrential rains triggered catastrophic flash flooding on May 28-29. Described as the worst in 60 years, the floods submerged entire neighborhoods, destroying hundreds of homes, schools, and health centers. Official estimates put the death toll at over 500, with hundreds more missing and presumed dead, while thousands were displaced. The tragedy highlighted chronic issues like poor drainage, unregulated construction along waterways, and inadequate early warning systems, amplifying the human cost in an already vulnerable region.
Suleja Fuel Tanker Explosion (Early 2025)
In a grim start to the year, a fuel tanker accident in Suleja, Niger State, turned deadly when residents rushed to scoop leaking petrol amid economic desperation. The ensuing explosion claimed scores of lives—reports indicate dozens killed and many injured—as fire engulfed the area. This preventable catastrophe underscored the dangers of fuel scarcity, poverty-driven risk-taking, and lax safety measures around hazardous transport, shocking the nation and prompting calls for better emergency response protocols.
Mass Killings and Herder-Farmer Clashes in Benue State (June 2025)
Armed attacks in Benue State resulted in the massacre of at least 218 people in a single wave of violence, displacing nearly 4,800 others—mostly women and girls. Part of ongoing herder-farmer conflicts exacerbated by resource scarcity and ethnic tensions, these killings added to a year where banditry and insurgent violence claimed thousands nationwide. The brutality reignited debates on governance failures, weak security, and the need for sustainable peace initiatives in the Middle Belt.
Escalating Banditry and Insecurity
Across the North Persistent bandit attacks, kidnappings, and raids plagued the Northwest and Northeast, with over 2,266 people killed by bandits or insurgents in the first half of the year alone—surpassing 2024’s total. High-profile incidents included mass abductions and village raids, compounding trauma in already fragile communities. This ongoing crisis displaced families, disrupted farming and education, and strained national resources, reflecting deeper issues of unemployment, porous borders, and insufficient counter-insurgency efforts.
Maiduguri Mosque Suicide Bombing (December 2025)
On Christmas Eve, a suspected suicide bomber detonated explosives inside a crowded mosque in Maiduguri, Borno State, killing at least five worshippers and injuring over 35 during evening prayers. Attributed to lingering threats from Boko Haram or ISWAP factions, the attack symbolised the enduring shadow of jihadist violence in the Northeast, even as international interventions targeted related groups elsewhere. It deepened fears in a region still recovering from a 15-year insurgency that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.