In this report , we read that terrorism is a global scourge that humanity must continue to fight under the slogan “Healing through Memory,” which is the theme of the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to Victims of Terrorism in 2026.
According to the United Nations, this annual commemoration on August 21 highlights the importance of keeping alive the memory of victims of terrorism while helping survivors and affected communities heal and rebuild.
Nigeria has seen the devastating impact of Islamist terrorism since 2009, when Boko Haram launched its campaign against the Nigerian government in the northeast. The insurgency has claimed more than 100,000 lives and led to the abduction of thousands of schoolchildren, including the Chibok and Dapchi schoolgirls, according to Vice President Kashim Shettima.
This year’s theme reminds the world that one of the most powerful weapons against terrorism is the ongoing preservation and responsible telling of the stories of its victims. Such stories must be used in ways that strengthen the fight against terrorism and raise the bar of the global fight against this threat.
Around the world, there are countless horrific stories of how terrorism has upended entire societies and inflicted unforgettable pain and suffering. Such experiences can understandably stir anger and a desire for revenge among survivors and those connected to the victims through family and other relationships.
However, memorials should promote appropriate commemoration and collective memory as a tool to help survivors and communities heal and rebuild. Rather than evoking painful memories in ways that fuel hatred and revenge, memorials should challenge humanity to prevent the misuse of victims’ stories to spread hatred, especially in digital spaces.
Such memories should inspire healing and reinforce the need to maintain respect and safety in digital and public spaces so that victims are not exposed to further harm. It also reaffirms the global commitment to supporting survivors and keeping their voices at the center of counterterrorism efforts.
According to the Vision of Humanity report, sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia remain the epicenters of global terrorism, with nearly 70 percent of the 5,582 deaths from terrorism worldwide in 2025 occurring in Pakistan, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, and Mali.
The figures, reported in the Global Terrorism Index published by the Institute for Economics and Peace, show the severity of the crisis. The exact figures for the Sahel countries of Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso and the Republic of Niger run into several thousand deaths.
The Rabdan Institute for Security and Defense states that the Sahel region in sub-Saharan Africa remains a major epicenter of global terrorism. The region is home to some of the world’s deadliest terrorist organizations, including ISIS affiliates such as ISWAP and Boko Haram, as well as Jamaat-e-Nusra al-Islam wa al-Muslimeen.
Pakistan continues to battle the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, while Al-Shabaab remains a deadly terrorist group operating primarily in East Africa.
The group has also been known to be responsible for some terrorist attacks in Nigeria.
FIJ Nigeria reports that comprehensive tracking data across Nigeria recorded over 5,091 violent deaths resulting from various security incidents, including riots, clashes and banditry, over a period of intensive monitoring spanning several months.
Nigeria also ranks fourth in the world with 750 deaths from terrorism last year, according to GTI, while broader conflict tracking reports suggest thousands of additional deaths by mid-2026.
