Nigeria Advocates Long-Term Support for Terrorism Victims

At the Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism, held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, Nigeria called for sustained support systems for victims of violent extremism. General Christopher Gwabin Musa, the Minister of Defence, emphasized the disproportionate impact of terrorism on Africa, noting that sub-Saharan Africa accounted for about 60% of global terrorism-related deaths in 2025.

He stated that behind these statistics are families displaced and communities fractured. In 2026, Nigeria secured 865 terrorism-related convictions, showcasing its commitment to accountability.

General Musa presented a three-point framework for enhancing international cooperation, advocating for peer learning, inclusive partnerships, and targeted UN support. He called for expanded technical assistance and resource mobilization tailored to countries most affected by terrorism.

The Minister commended various UN initiatives supporting victims, including the UNOCT Global Victims of Terrorism Support Programme and Germany's Toolkit for Technology-Enabled Support to Victims of Terrorism.