FG declares kidnappers, bandits as terrorists, says era of ambiguous nomenclature is over

The federal government has declared that kidnappers, bandits and other armed groups attacking communities will henceforth be classified and treated as terrorists.

Speaking at his end-of-year press briefing in Abuja on Monday, Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, said the era of what the government calls “ambiguous nomenclature” in Nigeria’s security response is over.

Idris said the administration of President Bola Tinubu would no longer tolerate insecurity under any guise, warning that any individual or group that terrorises Nigerians would be dealt with as terrorists.

“Let me be clear about what this means: henceforth, any armed group that kidnaps our children, that attacks our farmers, that terrorises our communities is officially classified and will be dealt with as a terrorist organisation,” he said.

“The era of ambiguous nomenclature is over. If you terrorise our people, whether you are a group or an individual, you are a terrorist, and you will be classified as such.”

The minister said the decision reflects a decisive shift in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism architecture, backed by concrete actions already taken by the federal government in 2025.

He cited the rescue of abducted students and teachers of St Mary’s Catholic School in Papri, Niger state, as evidence of the government’s resolve to curb insecurity in Nigeria.

“The remaining abducted schoolchildren and their teachers have been rescued and handed over to the Niger state government,” he added.

“This brings the total number of rescued victims to 230. No one is left in captivity from that incident.”

Idris said Tinubu has also declared a nationwide security emergency, which would lead to massive recruitment into the armed forces and the 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.”

The minister said Nigeria has adopted a new national counter-terrorism doctrine built on four pillars — unified command, intelligence, community stability and counterinsurgency.

He said the arrest of a senior ISWAP leader is proof of improved coordination among security and intelligence agencies.

“Two of the most internationally wanted criminals were captured through coordinated action by our security forces,” he said.

“Abu Bara, who had a bounty placed on his head, has been arrested alongside his chief of staff and is currently facing justice.”

Idris said the government’s message to criminal elements is clear.

“If you terrorise Nigerians, you are a terrorist. There is no hiding under any name again,” he said.

He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property, adding that security remains the foundation for economic recovery, public trust and national stability.

“President Tinubu is putting renewed focus on the security of lives and property, and his promise is that Nigeria will witness a far more secure country,” he said.

The minister said the government welcomes scrutiny but warned against politicising security matters.

“If you want to counter us, counter us on facts, not emotions,” he said.