DistantNews
Support us
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Conflict & Security

Nigeria: Over 13,000 Terrorists Killed in Past Year, Deaths Down 81% Since 2015

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Nigerian President Bola Tinubu announced that over 13,000 terrorists have been killed in the past year, with terror-related deaths declining by 81% since 2015.
  • He attributed these gains to a significant fiscal commitment to security, including a record N5.41 trillion allocation in the 2026 budget and the recruitment of over 50,000 new police officers and thousands of military personnel.
  • Tinubu also stated that the administration is employing precision targeting, degrading ISWAP's command center in Arege, Borno State, and continues to offer pathways for surrender to bandits and kidnappers.

President Bola Tinubu has reported significant progress in Nigeria's fight against terrorism, stating that over 13,000 terrorists were neutralized in the past year alone. During his national address marking Nigeria's 27th Democracy Day, Tinubu highlighted a substantial 81% decrease in terror-related deaths since 2015, underscoring a shift in security dynamics.

We have moved from training with our allies, the United States, France and other European countries, to precision targeting.

— President Bola TinubuDescribing the evolution of Nigeria's counter-terrorism strategy.

Tinubu linked these security achievements to a major fiscal commitment, noting that the 2026 budget allocates a record N5.41 trillion to defense. This represents the country's largest-ever security budget. The administration has also bolstered security forces by recruiting more than 50,000 new police officers and thousands of military recruits as part of a declared security emergency.

In Arege, Borno State, we degraded ISWAP’s command centre.

— President Bola TinubuHighlighting a specific success in combating terrorist groups.

The President detailed the strategic approach, explaining a transition from general training with international allies like the United States and France to "precision targeting." He cited the degradation of ISWAP's command center in Arege, Borno State, as a key success. Furthermore, Tinubu reiterated the government's stance on offering avenues for surrender, mentioning that over 124,000 fighters and their dependents have laid down their arms since 2023 through Operation Safe Corridor.

Terror-related deaths are down by 81 per cent since 2015. Over 13,000 terrorists have been neutralised in the past year.

— President Bola TinubuPresenting statistics on the reduction of terror-related incidents and fatalities.

However, Tinubu issued a stern warning to those who continue to engage in banditry, kidnapping, and sponsoring terror, stating, "Surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State." He emphasized that these "windows of surrender will not remain open forever" and that "no mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians."

Our administration is ever ready to do much more to secure our people.

— President Bola TinubuReaffirming the government's commitment to national security.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog