IPOB ranked among 10 deadliest terror groups in the world

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Global Terrorism Index (GTI) has ranked the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as the 10th deadliest terror group in the world in 2022.

The GTI report, which is published annually by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), stated that IPOB was responsible for 57 deaths in the year 2022, from 40 attacks with 16 persons injured.

This places IPOB in the 10th position among the top 20 deadliest terror groups in 2022.

The report said “ The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), designated as a terrorist group by the Nigerian government in 2017, recorded their deadliest year in 2022.

“They were responsible for 40 attacks and 57 deaths in 2022, an increase from 26 attacks and 34 deaths the year prior. IPOB is a separatist movement with many factions, many of which are seeking a peaceful succession from Nigeria.”

“The impact of terrorism continues to decline in Nigeria; with total deaths falling by 23 per cent, decreasing from 497 in 2021 to 385 in 2022. The number of terrorist attacks in Nigeria also fell considerably, with 120 incidents recorded in 2022 compared to 214 in 2021. This is the lowest number of terror attacks and deaths since 2011,” the report stated.

It continued: “The military overtook law enforcement as the most targeted group in 2022. Military personnel were targeted in a quarter of all attacks, followed by civilians at 24 per cent, and law enforcement at 18 per cent. Despite this, half of all terrorism deaths in Nigeria in 2022 were civilians.

“ISWA is now the most prominent group in Borno State, recording 40 incidents that resulted in 168 deaths in 2022, compared to Boko Haram's six incidents and 63 deaths”.

“The state, however, remains the hardest-hit region in Nigeria for terrorism, accounting for 60 per cent of all terror-related deaths in 2022”.

Sitting at the top of the 20 deadliest terror groups in 2022 is the Islamic State (IS). They were responsible for 1045 deaths, 410 attacks and 644 injuries.