Nigeria is calling for sustained global action to support victims and survivors of terrorism, saying assistance must go beyond short-term humanitarian relief to provide long-term care and help communities rebuild.
Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Retd.), made the call at the Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Musa said terrorism has had a disproportionate impact on Africa, with Sub-Saharan Africa accounting for about 60 per cent of global terrorism deaths in 2025.
He said behind the statistics are families displaced, livelihoods destroyed and communities fractured by violent extremism.
The Defence Minister also highlighted Nigeria’s counter-terrorism and justice efforts, revealing that the country secured 865 terrorism-related convictions in 2026.
He said Nigeria remains committed to rescuing captives and providing survivors with medical care, psychosocial rehabilitation, economic support and assistance to reintegrate into their communities.
Musa called for stronger international cooperation through peer learning, inclusive partnerships and targeted support from the United Nations.
He said countries affected most by terrorism require tailored technical assistance, capacity building and resources, while victims and survivors should have a greater role in justice and rehabilitation efforts.
The Minister commended United Nations initiatives supporting terrorism victims and expressed Nigeria’s readiness to share its experience and work with other countries.
He also expressed optimism about the International Conference on Victims of Terrorism scheduled to hold in Baghdad, Iraq, later in 2026.