Today’s global celebration of the International Day of Remembrance of Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism should prompt Nigeria to adopt more effective, proactive measures to combat terrorism, commemorate the fallen, and rehabilitate displaced individuals.

Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2017, August 21 is dedicated to honouring and supporting victims and survivors of terrorism and promoting their human rights. For Nigeria, this commemoration is particularly timely. Since 2009, Nigeria has been caught in the vortex of global terrorism, ranking as the world’s third most terror-impacted country.

Terrorism in Nigeria began with the rise of the violent Islamist group Boko Haram. Over time, this insurgency has birthed offshoots, forged alliances with international terrorist networks like ISIS and al-Qaeda, and attracted jihadists from around the world.

In addition to Boko Haram, other violent groups have emerged. Among them, Fulani herders have spread violence across Nigeria, and bandits and kidnappers are ravaging the northern regions. These groups have allied with Boko Haram, Ansaru, and the ISIS-affiliated ISWAP. In the South-East, a shadowy group, often referred to as “unknown gunmen,” has carried out violent campaigns under the guise of separatist agitation. As a result, the country is grappling with multiple violent conflicts. Estimates of lives lost to terrorism since 2009 range from 35,000 (according to the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect) to as high as 100,000 as of 2019. The UN Development Programme reported that by 2020, insurgency-related conflicts in Nigeria’s North-East had claimed 350,000 lives, with 314,000 of those being indirect casualties due to displacement and lack of basic resources.

The Global Terrorism Index 2022 identified sub-Saharan Africa as an emerging hub for terrorism, accounting for nearly half of global terrorism deaths. Depressingly, Nigeria retains its rank as the third most terrorism-impacted country globally. In the last 18 months, terrorists have attacked 16 military bases, killing approximately 750 security personnel.

Despite significant investment in combating terrorism, Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts remain inadequate. Boko Haram and ISWAP continue to carry out deadly attacks across the North-East, North-West, and North Central regions, while the military struggles with insufficient intelligence and outdated strategies.

To effectively defeat terrorism, Nigeria must revamp its security architecture. Additionally, the country should overhaul its support and rehabilitation systems for terrorism victims—survivors, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and afflicted communities. Hundreds of thousands of people displaced by terrorists need urgent care, and efforts should be made to return them safely to their homes. Granting amnesty to so-called “repentant” terrorists is demoralizing for victims and dishonours those who lost their lives. Resources should be redirected toward helping innocent civilians, not rewarding perpetrators of violence.

In IDP camps, services such as healthcare, education, clean water, and skills acquisition must be improved. The camps should be secure, with special programs designed for women and children, who are especially vulnerable. Sexual abuse in these camps should be eradicated, and offenders must be prosecuted.

Communities impacted by terrorism deserve focused attention from the government, including rebuilding efforts and the provision of essential services like security, water, healthcare, and education. No part of the country should remain ungoverned.

The UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy advocates for efforts to “counter the dehumanisation of victims of terrorism in all its forms” and urges countries to create national systems to support victims and help them reintegrate into society.

Nigeria should also embrace the culture of honouring victims of terrorism. Countries like the United States and France hold memorials for victims of terrorist attacks, fostering unity and national pride. For instance, Americans commemorate the victims of the September 11, 2001, attacks with memorial services, websites, and the 9/11 Memorial Museum. Similarly, French officials unfailingly honour the victims of the 2015 Charlie Hebdo attacks.

Nigeria’s leaders—President Muhammadu Buhari, state governors, and local officials—should follow these examples by remembering the victims and supporting survivors. States and local governments should also hold annual memorials for victims in their respective regions. However, the greatest tribute to both the living and the dead is a concerted effort to defeat terrorism and restore peace. The country’s leadership must rise to the challenge of securing Nigeria’s future.