The Federal Government has officially classified kidnappers and violent armed groups as terrorists, signaling a major escalation in Nigeria’s efforts to combat abductions, attacks on farmers, and rural insecurity. Information Minister Mohammed Idris announced the new designation on Monday during the end-of-year press briefing in Abuja. The move marks a shift from treating these crimes as ordinary offenses to addressing them under the nation’s full counterterrorism framework. “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 emphasized that the government will no longer allow ambiguity in labeling such threats. “Now, the era of ambiguous nomenclature is over. If you terrorize our people, whether you are a group or an individual, you are a terrorist and will be classified as such. There is no name hiding under this again,” he added. The minister explained that the policy will improve intelligence sharing and coordination among security agencies, allowing for faster and more decisive action against criminals. Idris highlighted the success of coordinated operations in 2025, which led to the capture of two of the continent’s most wanted criminals. To further secure vulnerable rural areas, the government will deploy trained forest guards tasked with surveillance, gathering local intelligence, and rapid response. These personnel are expected to disrupt criminal hideouts, dismantle camps, and secure remote locations often exploited by armed groups. Idris also revealed the capture of the ISWAP leader operating in Nigeria, describing him as one of Africa’s most wanted terrorists with a substantial U.S. bounty. “The ISWAP head residing in Nigeria has been captured through the coordination of all security agencies and intelligence units. Abu Barra was also apprehended a few months ago. Both are now facing justice,” he said. By classifying kidnappers and violent groups as terrorists, the government is sending a clear message of zero tolerance for abductions and rural violence, while expanding the powers of security forces to protect communities across Nigeria.
