FG Classifies Kidnappers, Armed Gangs Terrorists

The Federal Government has formally classified kidnappers and violent armed groups as terrorists, a decisive policy shift aimed at curbing widespread abductions, attacks on farmers and persistent insecurity in rural communities across the country.

The announcement was made on Monday in Abuja by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during the government’s end-of-year media briefing.

Under the new designation, acts such as mass kidnappings, assaults on farming communities and coordinated rural violence will no longer be treated as conventional criminal offences but addressed through the full weight of Nigeria’s counterterrorism framework.

Idris said the decision ends what he described as years of vague labeling of violent actors, stressing that anyone who instills fear through armed attacks or abductions will now be treated as a terrorist, regardless of whether the perpetrator operates alone or as part of a group.

According to the minister, the policy is expected to boost intelligence cooperation and enhance coordination among security agencies, enabling quicker responses and more effective operations against criminal networks.

He noted that improved collaboration among security forces had already yielded positive outcomes, revealing that joint efforts in 2025 led to the arrest of two high-profile fugitives previously listed among the world’s most wanted criminals.

As part of broader efforts to secure hard-to-reach areas, Idris also announced the deployment of specially trained forest guards. He explained that the personnel would be equipped to monitor forests and remote zones, gather local intelligence and respond swiftly to threats in locations frequently used by armed groups as hideouts.

The government says the measures form part of a comprehensive strategy to restore safety, protect livelihoods and reclaim communities affected by persistent violence.