Executive Summary

The February 2025 West Africa Security Tracker documents a persistently volatile security landscape across the region, with 845 incidents leading to 1,678 fatalities, a 27.8% decrease from January. Despite this decline, the threat posed by insurgencies, communal violence, and criminal networks remains deeply entrenched.

Nigeria emerged as the most impacted country, recording 329 incidents and 554 deaths, driven by armed banditry, insurgent activity, and widespread abductions, particularly in the North West. Mali and Burkina Faso followed closely, both grappling with expanding jihadist violence and weak state control. The report highlights increasing insecurity in Benin, Ghana, and the Ivory Coast, where communal clashes, extremist spillovers, and mob justice reflect emerging threats in states previously considered stable. Particularly in Ghana, the North East and Upper East regions experienced escalating land, chieftaincy, and ethnic disputes.

Patterns of violence reveal that armed clashes were the most lethal, accounting for over half of all deaths. Additionally, coordinated attacks, abductions, and mob violence intensified public fear and demonstrated the growing sophistication of non-state actors. Peaceful protests, however, indicate ongoing civic engagement despite the unrest.

Key actors include state forces, jihadist groups (notably JNIM and Islamic State affiliates), communal militias, and unidentified armed groups. State militaries were responsible for 37% of deaths, raising concerns about civilian harm during counterinsurgency operations. Security operations in countries like Nigeria, Mali, and Niger recorded tactical gains, including militant surrenders, weapons seizures, and the dismantling of insurgent camps. Yet, these efforts remain insufficient in the absence of political will, socioeconomic reforms, and regional cooperation.

The report concludes that while fatalities decreased in February, the structural drivers of violence,  poor governance, economic exclusion, and fragile institutions remain unaddressed. Without a shift toward comprehensive and preventive strategies, the region risks further deterioration.