The Federal Government has formally declared kidnappers, bandits and violent armed groups operating across the country as terrorists.
This decision marks a major shift in Nigeria’s security strategy and signals a tougher stance against rising cases of abductions, attacks on farmers and rural violence.
The announcement was made on Monday in Abuja by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during the Federal Government’s end-of-year press briefing.
According to him, criminal groups involved in kidnapping and violent attacks will no longer be treated as ordinary criminals.
Idris said the new classification places such individuals and groups under full counterterrorism laws and operations.
This, he explained, will allow security agencies to deploy stronger measures against them.
“Henceforth, any armed group or individual that kidnaps our children, attacks our farmers, and terrorises our communities is officially classified and will be dealt with as a terrorist,” Idris said.
He stressed that the government would no longer tolerate vague labels for criminal groups.
“Now, the era of ambiguous nomenclature is over. If you terrorize our people, whether you are a group or you are an individual, you are a terrorist and will be classified as such. There is no name hiding under this again,” the minister added.
The minister explained that the policy would improve coordination among security and intelligence agencies.
He said intelligence sharing and joint operations have already begun to yield results.
Idris revealed that in 2025, coordinated efforts among security agencies led to the arrest of two internationally wanted criminals.
He described this as proof that improved collaboration can weaken criminal networks across the country.
He also announced the deployment of trained forest guards to secure forests and remote areas.
According to him, these locations have long served as hideouts for kidnappers and armed groups.
The forest guards, he said, will be equipped with surveillance tools and rapid-response capabilities.
They will also work closely with local communities to gather intelligence.
By designating kidnappers as terrorists, the government is expanding the powers of security forces to dismantle camps, disrupt supply routes and prevent future attacks.
The move is expected to reassure farmers and residents in rural communities affected by insecurity.
Idris further disclosed the arrest of a top ISWAP leader living in Nigeria.
He described the suspect as one of the most wanted terrorists on the African continent.
“The most internationally wanted criminals, the ISWAP head residing in Nigeria, has been captured through the coordination of all the security agencies and those also in the intelligence community,” he said.
He recalled the earlier arrest of Abu Barra, who was also presented to the public by the National Security Adviser and other security chiefs.
According to him, both arrests were made possible through joint operations.
Idris noted that the ISWAP leader had a significant bounty placed on him by the United States.
He said the suspect and his chief of staff are currently facing trial.
“As we speak today, this gentleman, together with his chief of staff, are undergoing and having their day in court, and he is going to get justice that befits them,” the minister said.
The Federal Government insists the new policy reflects zero tolerance for kidnapping, banditry and terrorism.