Northeast Region of Nigeria
Situation Report and Humanitarian Assistance
For the thirteenth consecutive year in 2026, House of Mercy Children’s Home, Lagos, Nigeria (HOM) is undertaking actions in solidarity with children and families affected by terrorist attacks in the Northeast region of Nigeria.
Frequent terrorist attacks on towns and marketplaces have prompted frightened residents to cross into Niger, Cameroon and Chad. About half of the displaced people are children, many of whom have missed years of schooling as a result of violence. Displaced children who experience protracted periods out of school are at risk of lifetime disadvantage and face the highest risks of abduction, recruitment, sexual violence and forced marriage.
From Insecurity in Nigeria to Solutions
In June 2025, we released a three-part video series, titled ” Insecurity in Nigeria: Insights from AES” highlighting African-led perspectives on the roots of insecurity. Written by African authors and available in English, French, and Portuguese, the series examines NATO‘s 2011 intervention in Libya, the instability it caused in the countries in the Sahel, and the rise of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, as a force of resilience.
On 16 September 2023, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger formed the AES, a defence pact to combat terrorism across the region. Following this, on 6 July 2024 the Heads of State, General Assimi Goïta of Mali, Captain Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso and General Abdourahamane Tchiani of Niger, signed a treaty establishing the Confederation of Sahel States, marking a key step in regional cooperation and security.
Since then, the AES countries have shown that determined armies and volunteers can reclaim territories once controlled by terrorist groups, allowing hundreds of thousands of former Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to return home and rebuild safely. For years, these IDPs lived in overcrowded camps, lost their livelihoods, and faced daily uncertainty. Their return represents not only military success but also a step towards restoring dignity and hope.
Malian, Burkinabé, and Nigerien intelligence services have repeatedly uncovered foreign operatives and organisations channelling funds to terrorist groups and offering large sums of money to army officers, government officials, and other citizens to destabilise their countries. These successes show that determination, unity, and effective local action can achieve lasting security.
We extend our deepest sympathy to families who have lost loved ones. While insecurity persists across our nation, the successes of the AES countries demonstrate that lasting security is achievable. Reflecting on both the suffering in our nation and their progress, we renew our call: those in authority must act decisively. The future of our children and the safety of our communities depend on it.
A playlist of our humanitarian assistance work in Northeast Nigeria is available on our YouTube channel.
Our vision is of a peaceful African continent where every child feels safe, lives in a safe environment and is protected from maltreatment, neglect, violence and sexual exploitation.