The Federal Government has officially classified kidnappers and violent armed groups as terrorists, signaling a major escalation in Nigeria’s response to abductions and rural attacks.
Information Minister Mohammed Idris announced the policy during an end-of-year briefing in Abuja on Monday.
“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.
The move allows security agencies to use full counterterrorism measures, strengthens intelligence sharing, and enables faster operational responses. He noted that coordinated inter-agency operations in 2025 led to the capture of some of the most wanted criminals, including the ISWAP leader in Nigeria.
As part of the initiative, trained forest guards will be deployed to secure rural areas, forests, and remote locations often used as hideouts by criminal groups.
The government emphasised zero tolerance for abductions and rural violence, aiming to reassure affected communities and dismantle criminal networks.
By Asmau Umar
