Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Boko Haram has killed 350,000 Nigerians: UN

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) says the Boko Haram terrorists killed about 350,000 people in the North-East, of whom 90 per cent were children.

• June 25, 2021
Boko Haram insurgents
Boko Haram insurgents used to illustrate the story

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) says the Boko Haram terrorists killed about 350,000 people in the North-East, of whom 90 per cent were children.

The new report, released in collaboration with Nigeria’s Ministry of Finance, gave a new toll on the war and impacts of the insurgency on livelihoods, showing that it is 10 times higher than previous estimates of about 35,000 based only on those killed since the conflict started in 2009.

UNDP noted that for every person killed directly, at least nine other lives were lost indirectly because of the impact of the war, citing damage to agriculture, water, trade, food, and healthcare.

“The full human cost of the war is much greater,” the UN agency said. “Already, many more have died from the indirect effects of the conflict.”

Since Boko Haram launched its first attacks in 2009, close to two million people have fled their homes in three North-East states.

The insurgency has contributed to a decline in agricultural production, leading to disease and hunger.

Facilities including health centres and schools have been destroyed or become inaccessible. 

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Peter Ogudoro

Education

Educationist advises parents not to limit children to specific career paths

“God did not create us to be restricted to a single path,” Mr Ogudoro said.

Court room used to illustrate the story

States

Ekiti man arraigned over alleged theft of sports kits worth N80,000

The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 302 and 181(1)(d) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021.

Nelson Mandela (Credit : Britannica)

Heading 3

South Africa heads for court to stop Mandela’s daughter from auctioning late president’s belongings

The complainants argued that 29 objects form part of South Africa’s national heritage.