President Bola Tinubu has declared that bandits, violent cult groups, kidnappers, foreign‑linked mercenaries, and other armed non‑state actors will be treated as terrorists under a new security doctrine his administration is rolling out.
Tinubu made the declaration on Friday while presenting the 2026 budget proposal to a joint session of the National Assembly in Abuja. He emphasised that the government will pursue not only perpetrators of crimes but also those who finance and enable them.
“Under this new architecture, any armed group or gun‑wielding non‑state actors operating outside state authority will be regarded as terrorists,” the former Lagos State governor told the lawmakers.
He listed the groups to be targeted: “Bandits, militias, armed gangs, armed robbers, violent cults, forest‑based armed groups, and foreign‑linked mercenaries”, all of whom he said will be pursued under the revised security framework.
“We will go after all those who perpetrate violence for political or sectarian ends, along with those who finance and facilitate their evil schemes,” Tinubu added.
Addressing the rising tide of insecurity characterised by mass abductions and banditry, the President said his administration remains steadfast in its resolve to restore peace.
“We will usher in a new era of criminal justice. We will show no mercy to those who commit or support acts of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and other violent crimes,” he said.
Tinubu said the new doctrine will “fundamentally change how we confront terrorism and other violent crimes,” signalling a tougher stance against violent non‑state actors.
To support the enhanced security strategy, Tinubu announced plans to invest heavily in the defence and security sector.
Out of the proposed ₦58.1 trillion 2026 budget, ₦5.41 trillion has been earmarked for security and defence, the largest allocation among all sectors.
“Our priority will remain on increasing the fighting capability of our armed forces and other security agencies and boosting the effectiveness of our fighting forces with cutting‑edge equipment and other hardware,” the President said.
Despite recent violent incidents, the President expressed optimism about the future, assuring Nigerians that better days are ahead as his government intensifies efforts to secure the nation.