The Federal Government has officially classified kidnappers and violent armed groups as terrorists, signalling a tougher and more decisive approach to tackling abductions, attacks on farmers and growing community violence across the country.
The announcement was made on Monday by the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, during the end-of-year press briefing in Abuja.
According to the minister, the decision marks a clear shift from treating mass kidnappings and rural attacks as ordinary criminal acts to confronting them using full counterterrorism measures.
“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 era of using unclear labels for such crimes was over, adding that anyone who instils fear or violence in communities would be treated strictly as a terrorist, regardless of whether they operate alone or in groups.
Idris explained that the new policy would improve intelligence sharing and strengthen coordination among security agencies, allowing for quicker and more effective responses to security threats.
He noted that improved inter-agency cooperation had already yielded results, revealing that two internationally wanted criminals were arrested in 2025 through joint security operations.
As part of efforts to secure rural areas, the minister also announced the deployment of trained and well-equipped forest guards. He said the guards would combine surveillance, local intelligence and rapid-response operations to secure forests and remote areas often used by criminal groups as hideouts.
By classifying kidnappers as terrorists, the government is signalling zero tolerance for abductions and rural violence, while expanding the operational powers of security agencies.
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Idris further disclosed that a high-ranking ISWAP leader residing in Nigeria, described as one of the most wanted terrorists in Africa and previously placed on a US bounty list, had been arrested through coordinated security efforts. He added that the suspect and his chief of staff were currently standing trial and would face justice in line with the law.
The minister said the latest measures and arrests reflect the government’s determination to restore security, protect farming communities and ensure lasting peace across the country.
