Nigeria’s counterterrorism record was updated by the Presidency on Sunday, highlighting significant arrests, convictions, and a dramatic decline in terror-related deaths since 2023.
Released on its verified X Twitter, the news coincides with increased diplomatic tension after US President Donald Trump accused Nigeria of committing genocide against Christians and declared the nation a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC)”.
Additionally, the US government alluded to potential military intervention in Nigeria and warned sanctions.
Nigeria has consistently denied the accusations, claiming that rather than religious persecution, the security situation is caused by a ten-year combination of terrorism, banditry, and intercommunal violence.
While pleading with international allies, notably the United States, for ongoing assistance to put an end to the threat, government officials emphasise that victims have come from all areas and beliefs.
The Presidency reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s stance that “the security of Nigeria is non-negotiable” and stated that since 2023, efforts against insurgent organisations have been intensified by improved interagency collaboration.
The update claims that security forces have “vigorously pursued, arrested, eliminated or successfully convicted” extremists connected to some of the deadliest attacks in the nation.
More than 124 terrorists and insurgents have been found guilty by Nigerian courts since 2024, and a number of prominent suspects, such as Ansaru leaders, those connected to the 2022 Owo church massacre, and the Yelwata retaliation killings in Benue, are presently on trial.
Expanded joint-task deployments, strengthened border patrols, ongoing security operations in high-risk corridors, greater recompense for victims, and improved intelligence sharing with foreign partners are only a few of the operational steps mentioned by the Presidency.
According to the research, there were 81% fewer terror-related deaths in 2025 than in 2015. The decrease was attributed to increased counter-insurgency efforts and tighter ties with impacted areas.
The Presidency added that more than 124,000 fighters and their dependents turned themselves in to authorities, while more than 13,000 terrorists were neutralised in the previous year.
2.1 million internally displaced people (IDPs) have returned home, and reconstruction is moving on in many freed areas, according to the statement.
A Resettlement Scheme for Persons Impacted by Conflict has also been introduced by the Federal Government to encourage reintegration, aid in rehabilitation, and reconstruct shattered communities.
The administration reaffirmed its demand for increased international collaboration in spite of the successes, maintaining that international assistance is still essential to breaking up cross-border terror networks.
The United States reclassified Nigeria as a country of particular concern nine days ago after President Donald Trump voiced alarm about the existential threat to Christianity in the West African nation, where many Christians are being massacred.
The redesignation followed a campaign by far-right politicians and pundits in the United States and Europe who asserted that there had been a Christian genocide in Nigeria.
According to Trump, his main goal is to improve the situation in Nigeria.
In Nigeria, Christianity is under existential attack. Christians are being murdered in the thousands. This mass murder is the fault of radical Islamists. On Friday, Trump declared, “I am hereby making Nigeria a COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN, But that is the least of it.”
However, the Nigerian government has acknowledged its security issues while maintaining that Christians are not being singled out for attacks.
