THE Federal Government has formally classified kidnappers and violent armed groups as terrorists, signalling a tougher stance against abductions, attacks on farmers, and persistent rural violence across the country.
The announcement was made today by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during the Federal Government’s end-of-year press briefing in Abuja.
According to Idris, the decision marks a clear departure from treating mass kidnappings and coordinated rural attacks as ordinary criminal acts, stressing that such offences will now be confronted using full counterterrorism measures.
“Henceforth, any armed group or individual that kidnaps our children, attacks our farmers, and terrorises our communities is a terrorist and will be treated as such,” the minister said.
“The era of vague labels is over. If you terrorise Nigerians—whether as a group or an individual—you are a terrorist, plain and simple.”
He explained that the new classification will enhance intelligence sharing and operational coordination among security agencies, enabling quicker and more decisive responses to threats.
Idris noted that improved collaboration among security and intelligence agencies has already yielded tangible results, revealing that two of the world’s most wanted criminals were apprehended in 2025 through joint operations.
As part of efforts to secure rural and hard-to-reach areas, the minister also announced the deployment of specially trained and well-equipped forest guards.
He said the guards will combine surveillance, local intelligence gathering, and rapid-response capabilities to secure forests and remote locations commonly used as hideouts by criminal groups.
By officially designating kidnappers as terrorists, the Federal Government is expanding the operational powers of security agencies while sending a strong message of zero tolerance for abductions and rural violence.
The forest guard initiative, Idris added, is expected to disrupt criminal networks, dismantle camps, and restore confidence among farming communities affected by insecurity.
The minister further disclosed the recent arrest of the head of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) operating in Nigeria, describing him as one of the most wanted terrorists on the African continent.
He recalled that the suspect, along with his chief of staff, was apprehended through coordinated efforts involving security agencies and the intelligence community, adding that both suspects are currently facing trial.
“This individual had a substantial bounty placed on him by the United States, yet he was captured through the coordinated work of our security forces,” Idris said. “He is now having his day in court and will face justice accordingly.”
The government reiterated its commitment to strengthening national security and protecting citizens, particularly in vulnerable rural communities, as part of its broader counterterrorism strategy.