Nigeria’s federal government has affirmed its readiness to collaborate with the United States and other nations to eliminate the remaining pockets of terrorist and criminal activity within the country. The statement came from the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during a world press conference held in Abuja on Wednesday.
At the event, Minister Idris acknowledged the serious insecurity challenges facing the country but stressed that these challenges are not directed at any religious or ethnic group, contrary to what he described as misleading data circulating in some quarters. He said that the government, led by President Bola Tinubu, has deepened its commitment in the past two years to strengthen the security architecture. Among the evidence he cited were Nigeria’s improved standing in the Global Terrorism Index and a recent overhaul of the country’s senior security service chiefs.
Minister Idris called on international partners — especially the United States — to support Nigeria’s efforts in ridding the country of criminals and terrorists who are making life unbearable for many citizens. “The Nigerian Government is willing to work with other international bodies, including the United States, to ensure that criminals are permanently wiped out,” he said. “We welcome support from international partners … President Tinubu is taking the lead to resolve all challenges with the US, including other countries.”
He highlighted that while Nigeria is not shy of admitting its major insecurity challenge, it also sharply rejected that the attacks are aimed at persecuting any religion or group. “Nigeria is not running away from the fact that we have a big insecurity situation,” he said, adding: “The government and people of Nigeria have taken note of the US stance over the alleged violation of human rights. President Tinubu is determined to confront and end the security challenges.”
The call for international support comes in the wake of tensions with the U.S. After the U.S. labelled Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” amid allegations of killings of Christians and threatened possible military action if no response was made.
Nigeria’s security picture remains tense and complex. Most recently, the Global Terrorism Index ranked Nigeria 6th in the world for impact of terrorism in its 2025 report, with a score of 7.658 — climbing from 8th in the two prior years.
The report indicated that Nigeria recorded 565 terrorism-related deaths in 2024, up from 533 in 2023 and 392 in 2022.
Among the rising threats is the movement of the militant group IS‑Sahel into Nigerian territory; according to the report, this group carried out 16 attacks in Nigeria in 2024 alone.
Nigeria has been battling a complex security environment for years — from the insurgency by Boko Haram and its off-shoot Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the Northeast, to banditry and kidnappings in the North-West and lines of conflict in the North-Central.
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Against this backdrop, Minister Idris’ remarks signal a push for broader international cooperation. The insistence that the insecurity is not religiously targeted is also meant to address growing criticism and alarm among foreign partners about alleged rights violations.
The Tinubu administration has taken several visible steps. These include changing key heads of security services and signalling that Nigeria is ready to step up its fight against terror. The minister’s mention of the improved standing on the Global Terrorism Index is intended to show that the government believes progress has been made, even as the statistics indicate a rise in deaths.
By reaching out to the U.S. and other countries, Nigeria is seeking both moral and material support — intelligence cooperation, training, equipment, and assistance in border control and regional security. The minister stressed that the government is not alone in this fight and recognises the value of international partnership.
According to background information, Nigeria has invested substantially in counter-terrorism and counter-extremism programmes. The Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF) notes that one of the drivers of violent extremism in Nigeria is limited trust in government, weak socio-economic opportunities, and religious tension.
The outreach to the U.S. also comes at a time when relations have been strained. Last week the U.S., through its president, threatened military action in Nigeria if alleged killings of Christians continued unchecked. The U.S. has designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” regarding religious freedom. In public remarks, Nigerian officials have flagged the need to respect human rights even as the security crackdown continues.
For many Nigerians who have grown weary of kidnappings, mass attacks, bombings and wasteland-like conditions in some communities, the renewed pledge by their government offers a measure of hope. It suggests that the government is willing to engage partners beyond its borders and is ready to accept outside help.
But it also comes with demands — internationally and domestically. Nigeria must show that its security response respects human rights, is not selective or partisan, and that it effectively addresses all forms of criminal violence. Otherwise, pledges of cooperation risk being undermined by persistent attacks or rights concerns.
For regions suffering the most — such as the Northeast, North-West and parts of North-Central — the success of any strategy will depend on whether security operations are backed by development, community support, and regional coordination. Terrorist groups often exploit poverty, weak governance and porous borders. Reports have pointed out that the Sahel region neighbours the country’s problem zones and those regional dynamics matter.
