The Presidency on Sunday released a concise update on Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts, highlighting key arrests, convictions, and a marked reduction in terror-related fatalities since 2023.
The update, shared via its verified X handle, @NGRPresident, comes amid renewed diplomatic strain sparked by allegations from United States President Donald Trump, who accused Nigeria of committing genocide against Christians and designated it a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC).”
Washington has since threatened sanctions and hinted at possible military intervention.
The Federal Government, however, dismissed the allegations, maintaining that Nigeria’s decade-long security crisis stems from terrorism, banditry, and communal clashes — not religious persecution.
The government maintains that the security crisis has claimed lives across all faiths and regions and continues to appeal to global partners, including the U.S., for support in its ongoing operations aimed at defeating the debilitating challenge.
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In the update, the Presidency reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s stance that “the security of Nigeria is non-negotiable,” stressing that enhanced inter-agency cooperation has led to stringent action against terrorists and insurgents since 2023.
According to the figures released, security agencies have “vigorously pursued, arrested, eliminated or successfully convicted” extremists linked to some of the country’s deadliest attacks.
The update disclosed that since 2024, over 124 terrorists and insurgents have been convicted by Nigerian courts, while several high-profile suspects, including leaders of Ansaru, those implicated in the 2022 Owo Church massacre, and those involved in the Yelwata reprisal killings in Benue, are currently undergoing trial.
The government highlighted a suite of counterterrorism measures, including strengthened joint security task forces, enhanced border patrols with regional allies, permanent joint operations in vulnerable corridors, increased compensation for victims of attacks, and deeper intelligence collaboration with international partners.
Citing measurable results, the Presidency reported that as of 2025, terror-related deaths in Nigeria have declined by 81% compared with 2015, attributing the improvement to intensified counter-insurgency operations and stronger engagement with affected communities.
