FG declares kidnappers, bandits as terrorists, says era of ambiguous nomenclature is over
The federal government has officially declared that kidnappers, bandits, and other armed groups targeting communities will now be treated as terrorists.
Speaking at an end-of-year press briefing in Abuja on Monday, Information and National Orientation Minister Mohammed Idris said the era of “ambiguous nomenclature” in Nigeria’s security approach is over.
“Any armed group that kidnaps children, attacks farmers, or terrorizes communities is officially classified as a terrorist organisation and will be treated as such,” Idris said. “Whether you are an individual or a group, if you terrorize Nigerians, you will be classified as a terrorist.”
The minister explained that this policy represents a significant shift in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism strategy, supported by concrete actions already implemented in 2025. He highlighted the recent rescue of abducted students and teachers from St Mary’s Catholic School in Papri, Niger State, as an example of the government’s resolve to combat insecurity.
“The remaining abducted schoolchildren and their teachers have been rescued and handed over to the Niger State government,” Idris said, noting that a total of 230 victims have now been freed.
Idris added that President Bola Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency, which will include large-scale recruitment into the armed forces and police, as well as the deployment of trained forest guards to dismantle criminal hideouts.
“What we used to have were dark, unmanned forest areas that became safe havens for terrorists and criminals,” he said. “With this declaration and recruitment drive, there will be no hiding place for criminals and terrorists in our forests.”
