The Federal Government has officially designated kidnappers and violent armed groups as terrorists, marking a significant escalation in Nigeria’s response to widespread abductions, attacks on farmers and persistent community violence across the country.
The announcement was made on Monday in Abuja by the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, during an end-of-year press briefing, where he outlined a tougher national security posture aimed at ending what he described as years of ambiguity in dealing with violent criminal groups.
According to the minister, the new classification represents a clear shift from treating mass kidnappings and rural attacks as ordinary criminal offences to confronting them under Nigeria’s full counterterrorism framework. This move grants security agencies expanded operational authority and strengthens coordination across intelligence and law enforcement bodies.
“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. The era of ambiguous nomenclature is over. If you terrorise our people, whether you are a group or an individual, you are a terrorist, and you will be classified as such,” Idris said.
He explained that the policy would enhance intelligence sharing and joint operations among security agencies, enabling faster responses and more decisive action against criminal networks operating across state and regional boundaries. Idris noted that improved inter-agency collaboration has already yielded tangible results.
Highlighting recent successes, the minister disclosed that in 2025 alone, two of the most internationally wanted criminals were apprehended through coordinated security operations. Among them was the head of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) residing in Nigeria, described as one of the most wanted terrorists on the African continent, with a substantial bounty reportedly placed on him by the United States.
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He also recalled the earlier arrest of Abu Barra, another high-profile terror suspect, who was presented to the public by the National Security Adviser alongside other security chiefs. Both suspects, Idris said, are currently facing trial and will “get justice that befits them”.
As part of efforts to secure vulnerable rural areas, the minister announced the deployment of trained and properly equipped forest guards. These personnel will be tasked with securing forests and remote locations often used as hideouts by kidnappers and armed groups. The forest guards are expected to combine surveillance, local intelligence gathering and rapid-response capabilities to disrupt criminal supply routes and dismantle camps.
The initiative is particularly aimed at reassuring farming communities that have borne the brunt of insecurity, including attacks that have disrupted agricultural activities and livelihoods.
By formally classifying kidnappers as terrorists, the Federal Government is signalling zero tolerance for abductions and rural violence, while expanding the powers of security forces to confront threats more aggressively.
Analysts say the policy could mark a turning point in Nigeria’s internal security strategy, provided enforcement remains consistent and respects the rule of law.
