Justice and Cooperation Essential to Combat Terrorism in Africa

Gloria Ballason, the Chief Executive Officer of House of Justice in Kaduna, emphasized the need for African governments to strengthen regional cooperation and ensure criminal accountability to effectively combat terrorism. She made these remarks while presenting a paper titled “Terrorism Desistance, Regional Stability and Restorative Justice” at the Africa Peace Fellows Conference on Restorative Justice and Management of Victims of Violent Extremism in Africa, held on August 4 at the National Defence College in Abuja.

Ballason reviewed the 2025 Global Terrorism Index, which identified Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, and Somalia as among Africa's most affected countries. Despite Nigeria's security budget increasing from N1.1 trillion in 2016 to N5.41 trillion in 2026, violent attacks have spread beyond the North-East.

She cited a report indicating that N2.23 trillion was paid as ransom between 2023 and 2024. Ballason criticized Nigeria's counter-terrorism approach, noting the lack of support for victims and the need for a comprehensive framework for rehabilitation, while insisting that military operations alone cannot eliminate violent extremism without addressing its root causes.