The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially classified kidnappers, bandits, and violent armed groups terrorising communities as terrorists, marking a major policy shift that places such acts under counterterrorism frameworks rather than conventional crime.

Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris announced the designation during the government’s end-of-year briefing, declaring: “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 organisation.” He stressed that the government would no longer tolerate “ambiguous nomenclature”, adding: “If you terrorise our people… you are a terrorist and will be classified as such. No more hiding.”

The move is designed to strengthen inter-agency coordination, intelligence sharing, and operational decisiveness. Idris highlighted recent successes in 2025, including the capture of internationally wanted ISWAP figures such as Abu Barra, achieved through joint security efforts.

Additional measures announced include the deployment of trained and equipped forest guards to provide surveillance, gather local intelligence, and deliver rapid response in remote areas, as well as the disruption of criminal camps and supply lines to protect farming communities.

The declaration comes in response to persistent mass abductions, rural assaults, and attacks on soft targets, amid criticism that previous approaches treated kidnappings as “kidnap-for-ransom” crimes rather than acts of terror. Stakeholders view the move as an escalation that enables military-led operations, though concerns remain about implementation and safeguarding human rights.