TIMELINE: At Least 590 People Killed, 192 Kidnapped Across Nigeria in April

No fewer than 590 people were killed and at least 190 kidnapped in various incidents across Nigeria in April 2025, HumAngle Tracker revealed. 

The data, which provides insights into key issues in Nigeria, including conflict and security trends, humanitarian crises, and governance and accountability, shows that April recorded the highest number of casualties since January 2025.

HumAngle earlier reported that at least 1,420 people were killed and 537 others kidnapped in the first quarter (Q1) of 2025, according to statistics from media reports. 

Here’s a timeline of some of the major incidents in April.

Timeline

April 1: Two people were killed in violent attacks in Katsina and Sokoto States, North West Nigeria. A communal clash also killed one in Plateau.

April 2: Armed men attacked several communities in the Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing 52 people and leaving many others missing. In Ondo State, a commercial driver, Muihili Adebayo, was abducted by armed men, who killed his son and injured his wife.

Terrorists killed 11 farmers in Lugu town, Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, on the same day. Similarly, police arrested two suspects over the murder of an 80-year-old woman in Ihiala, Anambra State.

April 3: While a woman killed her younger sister with a cutlass in Enugu, terrorists opened fire on a commercial vehicle travelling from Kebbi to Sokoto, killing one victim. Also, a deadly attack on Rijiya village in Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State left eight people dead.

In Kano, a road accident claimed the lives of 15 people and left 10 others injured in Chiromawa village, Garun Mallam Local Government Area of the state. Additionally, kidnappers abducted 13 people and killed two others during the ambush of an 18-seater passenger bus in Ikobi village, Otukpo local government area of Benue State, on the same day.

While Blessing Adagba was abducted in Ebonyi State, two people were killed in separate accidents in Lagos and Adamawa States.

April 4: A carpenter was electrocuted at a construction site in Amawbia, the Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State. Also, a road accident claimed a life in Abuja.

April 5: A pedestrian was killed in an auto crash involving a truck conveying two containers and seven vehicles along the Oshodi-Apapa expressway, Lagos. Another accident killed seven people at the Dutse Tipper Garage Bus Stop in Abuja. Also, 18 others were killed in a road accident in Ogun State on the same day.

Similarly, one person was killed in a violent attack in Benue. Also, one was killed in an attack in Katsina State.

April 6: As a fire outbreak swept through Kalari in Borno, northeastern Nigeria, killing three and destroying hundreds of makeshift homes, 16 vigilantes were killed while attempting to stop a cattle rustling operation by the Lakurawa terrorist group in the Augie Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

In the same vein, terrorists attacked a local community in Katsina, killing six people and abducting 53 members of the community. Also, Boko Haram insurgents attacked Izge village, Gwoza local government area of Borno state, killing two soldiers.

In Delta, hoodlums shot one person dead and razed several houses. Two men were also lynched by an angry mob in Katsina State, in a tragic case of mistaken identity. Additionally, terrorists attacked Keta community in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, setting 11 vehicles and three shops ablaze. The attack, which occurred in broad daylight, also claimed the life of one person.

Meanwhile, sea pirates abducted five passengers aboard a commercial boat travelling along the Degema–Akuku-Toru waterways in Rivers State.

April 7: Five persons were confirmed dead after a Toyota bus rammed into pedestrians along Kano-Maiduguri expressway in Yobe. Meanwhile, another accident killed one person in Abuja on the same day.

April 8: A socialite was killed by unknown persons suspected to be assassins in Akure, Ondo State capital. Similarly, three fishermen were killed when suspected Lakurawa terrorists launched an early morning attack on the Sanyinna community in the Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State. 

In Kebbi State, gunmen abducted a final-year student of the Federal University, Birnin Kebbi and also killed a good Samaritan, Malam Siddi Hussaini, who attempted to intervene.

April 9: The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority stated that a lone bus accident at Total before the Emergency point inward Tollgate claimed two lives. Also, criminal herders killed three people at the Mbasombo community in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State.

April 10: A tragic accident occurred on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, resulting in a fatality. Similarly, a truck accident killed a National Diploma 1 student of the Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Temilade Adekunle, in the Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State.

April 11: Police confirmed the arrest and detention of a 49-year-old man for killing his 68-year-old mother, Dorathy Anyaji. Also, a father and his two sons were killed as terrorists attacked Zogu village, Miango in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Meanwhile, an improvised explosive device (IED) suspected to be planted by Boko Haram insurgents killed eight passengers along the Maiduguri – Damboa highway, in Borno State. Also, three people were killed in two separate attacks in Kano and Benue State.

April 12: A student of the Centre for Distance Learning, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, lost his life after electrocution while attempting to retrieve a football from an unknown compound.

April 13: Police said four people were killed in a violent incident in Delta State. While two people were killed and nineteen others injured in a clash between youths of Gidan Haki and Basasa villages in Sokoto State, a minor simply identified as Testimony was burnt to death in Ondo State.

April 14: At least 40 people were killed in a midnight attack on Zike community in Bassa, Plateau State, as armed assailants continued a deadly pattern of violence. Also, terrorists killed three policemen and a civilian in Achị, Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State.

April 15: A middle-aged woman and her child were crushed to death in Akure, Ondo State. While one person was confirmed dead, 20 individuals were abducted following an attack on Gabake Mesa, a village in Kauran Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

In Adamawa, Boko Haram terrorists killed six people in attacks on the Banga and Larh communities in Hong Local Government Area of the state.

April 16: Three members of a community watch group in Dutsinma Local Government Area of Katsina State were killed by terrorists during a patrol operation. As an accident claimed two lives in Lagos, nine people were killed in a violent incident in Katsina.

April 17: At least 72 persons were killed in an attack on three communities in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State. While one person was killed in another attack in Kano, two others were killed in Borno.

April 18: While Boko Haram terrorists attacked a community in Hong, a local government area in the northern part of Adamawa State, killing seven people, a 100-level student of the University of Ilesa, Osun State, Gbolahan Ojolo, was electrocuted while playing a game on his mobile phone.

Also, a comedian, Odey Mathias, popularly known as General Odey, and 19 others were abducted by pirates along the Cross River waterways.

April 19: Gunmen ambushed a Toyota Sienna passenger vehicle on Obbo-Aiyegunle/Osi Road in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State and abducted seven passengers travelling from Abuja to Offa in Kwara State. 

Also, five travellers were killed on the eve of Easter celebration, in an automobile crash along the Ife/Ilesa highway in Osun State. Seven died in a building collapse in Lagos.

April 20: Four persons were killed as cultists invaded Swali community in the heart of Yenagoa in Bayelsa State.

April 21: While five people died and 13 others in injured in a road accident in Gombe State, terrorists killed seven people, including a vigilante member, in Kwara State. Also, three people were killed when terrorists attacked Dole Moriki community in Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Six persons died in a multiple-vehicle crash in Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State.

April 22: A scavenger identified as Machido Abubakar killed Prince Ogo Omoge, grandson of the late music icon, Princess Comfort Omoge, in Ondo State. Meanwhile, an explosion killed two in Kaduna.

Criminal herders attacked Afia community in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, killing 11 residents and leaving several others injured. Also, terrorists attacked a mosque in Tudun Malamai community, Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, killing the Imam who was leading the Isha prayer and abducting at least ten worshippers.

April 24: While criminal herders attacked Agbo Vengav Udam community in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State, killing seven people, 20 others were killed in an attack on a gold mining village in Zamfara State.

April 25: Nine people were killed and five others abducted in separate violent attacks by terrorists in Borno and Zamfara States.

April 26: Boko Haram terrorists attacked Kwapre, a community in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa, killing 10 vigilantes. Five people were reported dead when an explosion occurred at a residential home where illegal petroleum products were stored in Rivers State.

Also, Boko Haram terrorists killed two vigilantes and ten firewood fetchers in Bokko Ghide community, Gwoza local government area of Borno State.

April 27: As Police in Delta State reportedly killed five suspected kidnappers terrorising Ubulu-Uku, Issele-Uku, Issele-Asagba, three persons were reportedly killed after some suspected assassins gunned down a scrap dealer, who was said to be in his early 30s, at Oja Gbooro area of Ilorin.

Also, Boko Haram terrorists slaughtered 18 fishermen and scores of others were missing in Mobbar local government area in Northern Borno, near the border with Niger Republic.

April 28: An explosion killed 26 people in Borno.

April 29: At least 10 hunters lost their lives while on a rescue mission to Kopire village, Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

April 30: 10 terrorists, including a notorious kingpin identified as “Shalili”, were neutralised in Zamfara State following a fierce confrontation with villagers and security operatives in Talata Mafara Local Government Area.

Download the latest HumAngle Tracker here.