The Federal Government has officially designated kidnappers and violent armed groups in Nigeria as terrorists, marking a decisive shift in the country’s approach to abductions and rural violence. This announcement was made by the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, during an end-of-year media briefing in Abuja.
Idris emphasized that this new classification signifies a move away from treating these acts as mere criminal offenses, stating that such actions will now be addressed under Nigeria’s comprehensive counterterrorism framework. He clarified that individuals or groups involved in kidnappings, attacks on farmers, or community intimidation will be recognized and treated as terrorists.
The minister asserted that the government will no longer tolerate vague labels for those perpetrating violence, insisting that anyone instilling fear or insecurity will face severe legal consequences. He outlined that this policy shift would facilitate improved intelligence sharing and cooperation among security agencies, leading to more effective operations against criminal networks.
Additionally, Idris touched on the deployment of trained forest guards to secure remote areas often used by criminals for hideouts. These guards will integrate surveillance, local intelligence, and rapid-response capabilities to protect vulnerable rural communities.
Highlighting recent successes, Idris confirmed the capture of a senior leader of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), one of Africa’s most wanted terrorists, who is currently undergoing trial. The government believes that classifying kidnappers and armed groups as terrorists sends a strong message of zero tolerance for insecurity, while also expanding security agencies’ operational capacities to dismantle criminal organizations and restore public confidence in affected regions.
