Nigeria has recorded 865 convictions in terrorism-related cases in 2026, according to Defence Minister General Christopher Gwabin Musa, who also called for stronger international assistance for victims and survivors of terrorism.
Musa made the disclosure at a UN Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism in New York.
According to a statement by Leah Katung-Babatunde, Special Assistant to the Minister on Media, Musa said the impact of terrorism extends beyond the immediate loss of lives and property, requiring long-term support for affected communities and survivors.
The Defence Minister called for sustained assistance covering medical care, psychosocial support, economic recovery and the reintegration of survivors into their communities.
He noted that Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for about 60 per cent of global deaths linked to terrorism in 2025, highlighting the scale of the challenge facing the region.
Musa said Nigeria remained committed to ensuring accountability for terrorism-related offences, citing the 865 convictions recorded in 2026.
He also urged the international community to strengthen cooperation through peer learning, inclusive partnerships and targeted support from the United Nations.
The Minister said Nigeria was prepared to share its experiences and lessons from its counter-terrorism efforts at the International Conference on Victims of Terrorism scheduled to hold in Baghdad later this year.
He maintained that supporting survivors should remain an important component of the international response to terrorism.
