Nigeria's Defence Minister 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’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (retd), called for the global community to establish long-term support systems for victims and survivors of violent extremism. He highlighted that Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for approximately 60 percent of global terrorism deaths in 2025, stressing the need for sustained action to address the needs of victims.

In 2026, Nigeria secured 865 terrorism-related convictions, showcasing its commitment to accountability. General Musa proposed a three-point framework for enhancing international cooperation, which includes Enhanced Peer Learning, Inclusive Partnerships, and Targeted UN Support.

He advocated for institutional mechanisms to share operational models and emphasized the importance of survivor participation in justice efforts. The Minister commended various UN initiatives aimed at supporting victims and expressed Nigeria's readiness to collaborate internationally, looking forward to the International Conference on Victims of Terrorism in Baghdad, Iraq, in the fourth quarter of 2026.