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Nigeria has killed more than 13,000 “terrorists” in the past year, President Bola Tinubu said on Friday, signalling a significant shift in the country’s long-running battle against insurgency, adding that the death toll from the violence is down 81 per cent since he took office in 2023.
“Over 13,000 terrorists have been neutralised in the past year,” Tinubu said. He also highlighted the successes of Operation Safe Corridor, noting that “over 124,000 fighters and dependents have laid down their arms since 2023,” a programme aimed at deradicalisation and reintegration of former militants.
Africa’s most populous nation has been fighting an insurgency in its northern regions for more than a decade, primarily driven by the terrorist group Boko Haram and later joined by other armed factions. The conflict has left tens of thousands dead and displaced millions.
The situation has been worsened by violent farmer-herder clashes across the northeast and central states, secessionist agitation in the southeast, and widespread kidnappings for ransom, particularly in northwest and central regions.
The crisis is now moving closer to areas traditionally considered safer. In May, more than 40 students and teachers were abducted from schools in Oyo State, in the southwest, highlighting the spread of insecurity beyond the north.
While Tinubu’s remarks suggest progress in curbing terrorist activity, experts caution that the broader security challenges remain complex, with multiple groups operating simultaneously and regional spillover from the Sahel complicating military efforts.
The Nigerian government continues to stress the importance of combining military operations with deradicalisation programmes, local intelligence, and community engagement to address the deep-rooted issues behind the insurgency.
