Nigeria Designates Kidnappers and Bandits as Terrorists

The Federal Government has officially classified kidnappers, bandits, and violent armed groups as terrorists. Minister of Information Mohammed Idris announced the decision on Monday during an end-of-year press briefing in Abuja. This step ends any ambiguous labelling of such criminals and allows security forces to treat them under full counter-terrorism laws.

Idris stated that anyone who kidnaps children, attacks farmers, or terrorises communities will face treatment as a terrorist. “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,” he said. “Now, the era of ambiguous nomenclature is over. If you terrorise our people, whether you are a group or you are an individual, you are a terrorist and will be classified as such.”

The policy strengthens intelligence sharing and coordination among security agencies for quicker action. Idris highlighted recent successes from better collaboration in 2025, including the capture of two high-profile international criminals. Security forces arrested the head of ISWAP in Nigeria, one of Africa’s most wanted terrorists, along with Abu Barra and his chief of staff a few months earlier.

Abu Barra, who had a large bounty placed by the United States, now faces trial alongside his aide. The government also plans to deploy trained forest guards to secure remote areas and disrupt criminal hideouts.

These measures aim to restore safety to farming communities and families plagued by abductions and violence, offering hope amid persistent threats across the nation.