President Bola Tinubu has declared that henceforth, any individual or group found illegally wielding firearms across Nigeria will be treated as terrorists, warning that accomplices who aid such groups will face similar consequences.

The President made the declaration on Friday while presenting the 2026 budget proposal to a joint session of the National Assembly, emphasising a zero-tolerance stance against armed violence.

Tinubu warned politicians, religious leaders, traditional rulers, community heads, and anyone acting as intermediaries or protectors of criminals that they would also be classified as terrorists if found supporting armed groups.

“Henceforth, any armed group or gun-wielding non-state actor operating outside the authority of the state will be regarded as terrorists. This includes bandits, militias, violent cult groups, armed robbers, forest-based armed collectives, and foreign-linked mercenaries,” Tinubu stated.

He further clarified that groups or individuals engaging in violence for political, ethnic, financial, or sectarian objectives, extorting communities, kidnapping civilians, or attempting to occupy territory illegally would be considered terrorists.

According to the President, anyone facilitating these groups as financiers, money handlers, harbourers, informants, ransom negotiators, or safe-house operators will equally be treated as terrorists. “Political protectors and intermediaries, transporters, arms suppliers, and safe-house owners will be declared terrorists. Leaders who encourage violent actions against Nigerians are equally culpable,” he added.

Highlighting ongoing reforms in the security sector, Tinubu listed modernisation of the Armed Forces, intelligence-driven policing, joint operations, border security, technology-enabled surveillance, and community-based peacebuilding as key priorities.

He assured that the government would invest in security with accountability for results, boost the operational capacity of the armed forces, and procure modern platforms and equipment. Tinubu also promised a reformed criminal justice system aimed at stamping out terrorism, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and other violent crimes.

“Our administration is resetting the national security architecture and establishing a new national counterterrorism doctrine. This holistic redesign, anchored on unified command, intelligence, community stability, and counter-insurgency, will redefine how we confront terrorism and violent crimes threatening our national survival,” the President added.