The Nigerian Presidency has published new data on the country’s fight against insecurity amidst the Country of Particular Concern, CPC designation.
The Nigerian government insisted that terror-related deaths in the country have dropped by 81% since 2015 when Boko Haram became prominent.
This announcement comes as a direct response to the ongoing international discussion regarding the CPC designation slammed against Nigeria by the United States government for alleged religious freedom violations.
Countering the claims of the U.S government on the CPC designation, the Nigerian government made public an abridged update on the country’s counter-terrorism operations, detailing arrests, convictions, and significant declines in terror-related deaths since 2023.
In the update, the presidency reaffirmed President Bola 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.
In the figures released, it claimed security agencies had “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 had 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, were undergoing trial.
The federal government also 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.
Quoting results, the presidency reported that as of 2025, over 13,000 terrorists were neutralised in the past year alone, while more than 124,000 fighters and their dependents surrendered to the authorities, attributing the improvement to intensified counter-insurgency operations and stronger engagement with affected communities.
The presidential post added that more than 2.1 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) had returned to their communities, with many areas experiencing reconstruction and renewed stability.
The government said it further instituted a Resettlement Scheme for Persons Impacted by Conflict to facilitate rehabilitation, rebuild destroyed settlements, and support reintegration efforts.
The statement reads in part: “The security of Nigeria is non-negotiable” ~ President Bola Tinubu @officialABAT
“Since 2023, the Federal Government of Nigeria, through enhanced inter-agency cooperation, has vigorously pursued, arrested, eliminated, or successfully convicted terrorists and insurgents, especially those responsible for some of the most heinous attacks on Nigerian territory.
“Since 2024, over 124 terrorists and insurgents have been successfully convicted, whilst some, including the Ansaru leadership, those responsible for the Owo Church bombing in 2022, the Yelwata (Benue) Reprisal and Counter Reprisal attacks, amongst others, are undergoing trial at various courts.
“Joint security task forces, enhanced border patrols with local and regional partners, compensation for victims, permanent joint patrols, and intelligence collaboration with international partners are among the remedial actions taken to protect lives further and the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“As of 2025, Nigeria has witnessed an 81% decrease in terror-related deaths since 2015, a pointer to enhanced counter-insurgency operations and better collaboration between our National security architecture and with affected communities. Over 13,000 terrorists have been neutralised in the past year, and over 124,000 fighters and dependents have surrendered to authorities.
“Over 2.1million IDPs have also returned home, and new communities are being rebuilt in previously affected areas as normalcy returns. The FG has also instituted a Resettlement Scheme for Persons Impacted by Conflict to assist in rebuilding communities and helping integration for displaced and affected persons.”
