RismadarVoice Reporters
September 24, 2026
The federal government of Nigeria has called on the international community to establish sustained support systems for victims and survivors of terrorism.
Christopher Musa, Minister of Defence, 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.
The meeting was co-convened by Spain and Iraq to strengthen international responses to the needs of victims and survivors of terrorism, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by Leah Latung-Babatunde, Minister’s Special Adviser on Media.
Musa said the global community must move beyond short-term humanitarian assistance and establish sustained measures to address the long-term needs of people affected by terrorism.
He said the impact of terrorism extended beyond the immediate loss of lives, affecting families, livelihoods and entire communities.
“Behind these figures are families displaced, livelihoods destroyed, communities fractured, and lives permanently changed,” he said.
The minister said Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for about 60 per cent of global terrorism deaths in 2025, highlighting what he described as the disproportionate burden borne by the continent.
Musa also said Nigeria had secured 865 terrorism-related convictions in 2026, demonstrating the country’s commitment to accountability in its fight against terrorism.
He said Nigeria remained committed to rescuing captives and providing comprehensive support to survivors after their rescue.
According to him, such support includes medical care, psychosocial rehabilitation, economic assistance and community reintegration.
Musa proposed a three-point framework for strengthening international cooperation.
The framework comprises enhanced peer learning, inclusive partnerships and targeted support from the United Nations.
He advocated the establishment of institutional mechanisms that would enable member states to share operational models, referral systems and lessons learned from their experiences, including approaches that failed to achieve their intended outcomes.
Musa also called for direct feedback channels and stronger partnerships among national authorities, civil society organisations and victims’ associations.
He said such partnerships would strengthen the participation of survivors in justice and rehabilitation efforts.
The minister further called for expanded UN technical assistance, capacity building and resource mobilisation tailored to countries bearing the heaviest burden of terrorism.
He commended existing UN initiatives aimed at supporting victims of terrorism, including the UNOCT Global Victims of Terrorism Support Programme and the Victims of Terrorism Associations Network.
Musa also acknowledged Germany’s support for the development of the Toolkit for Technology-Enabled Support to Victims of Terrorism.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s readiness to share its experiences and collaborate with international partners to strengthen support systems for victims and survivors of terrorism.
The minister also expressed optimism about the International Conference on Victims of Terrorism scheduled to be held in Baghdad, Iraq, in the fourth quarter of 2026.
