By Nkechi Eze
Nigeria has called for a sustained, survivor-centred global response to terrorism, urging the international community to move beyond short-term humanitarian relief and establish long-term support systems for victims and survivors of violent extremism.
Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd.), made the call at the Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Addressing international delegates at the meeting, co-convened by Spain and Iraq, General Musa highlighted the disproportionate impact of terrorism on Africa, noting that Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for approximately 60 per cent of global terrorism deaths in 2025.
According to the Minister, the figures represented more than statistics, as terrorism had left families displaced, livelihoods destroyed, communities fractured and lives permanently altered.
“Behind these figures are families displaced, livelihoods destroyed, communities fractured, and lives permanently changed,” General Musa said, stressing the need to translate the identified priorities and needs of victims, as well as lessons and good practices, into sustained action.
Highlighting Nigeria’s counter-terrorism and justice efforts, the Defence Minister disclosed that the country secured 865 terrorism-related convictions in 2026, describing the development as evidence of Nigeria’s commitment to accountability.
He said Nigeria was also prioritising the liberation of captives while ensuring comprehensive post-rescue support, including medical care, psychosocial rehabilitation, economic assistance and community reintegration.
Drawing from Nigeria’s experience in combating terrorism, General Musa proposed a three-point framework for strengthening international cooperation through enhanced peer learning, inclusive partnerships and targeted United Nations support.
He advocated the establishment of institutional mechanisms through which Member States could share operational models, referral systems and lessons learned, including candid assessments of approaches that had failed to achieve their intended outcomes.
The Minister also called for stronger feedback channels and partnerships among national authorities, civil society organisations and victims’ associations to ensure meaningful survivor participation in justice and rehabilitation efforts.
He further urged the United Nations to expand technical assistance, capacity building and resource mobilisation, particularly for countries bearing the heaviest burden of terrorism.
General Musa commended United Nations initiatives, including the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) Global Victims of Terrorism Support Programme and the Victims of Terrorism Associations Network (VoTAN), as well as Germany’s support for the development of the Toolkit for Technology-Enabled Support to Victims of Terrorism.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s readiness to share its expertise and strengthen international collaboration, the Defence Minister expressed optimism about the International Conference on Victims of Terrorism scheduled to hold in Baghdad, Iraq, in the fourth quarter of 2026.
