The Federal Government has formally declared kidnappers, bandits and other armed groups terrorising communities across the country as terrorist organisations, vowing to bring the full weight of the law to bear on them.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known on Monday in Abuja during his end-of-year press briefing, saying the era of what he described as “ambiguous nomenclature” in Nigeria’s security response has come to an end.

According to Idris, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration will no longer tolerate insecurity under any guise, stressing that any group or individual that engages in kidnapping, banditry or violent attacks on Nigerians will henceforth be treated as terrorists.

“Let me be clear: any armed group that kidnaps our children, attacks our farmers or terrorises our communities is officially classified and will be dealt with as a terrorist organisation,” the minister said.

He added that the new posture reflects a decisive shift in the nation’s counter-terrorism architecture, backed by concrete actions already taken by the Federal Government in 2025.

Idris cited the successful rescue of abducted students and teachers of St Mary’s Catholic School, Papri, Niger State, as evidence of the administration’s resolve.

“The remaining abducted schoolchildren and their teachers have been rescued and handed over to the Niger State Government. This brings the total number of rescued victims to 230. No one is left in captivity from that incident,” he said.

The minister further disclosed that President Tinubu has declared a nationwide security emergency, paving the way for massive recruitment into the armed forces and the Nigeria Police Force, 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 criminals. With this declaration and recruitment drive, there will be no hiding place for terrorists and bandits in our forests,” Idris said.

He explained that Nigeria has now adopted a new national counter-terrorism doctrine built on four pillars: unified command, intelligence-driven operations, community stability and counterinsurgency.

According to him, the recent 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. Abu Bara, who had a bounty placed on his head, has been arrested alongside his chief of staff and is currently facing justice,” he said.

Reaffirming the administration’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, Idris stressed that security remains the foundation for economic recovery, public trust and national stability.

“If you terrorise Nigerians, you are a terrorist. There is no hiding under any name again,” he declared.
The minister welcomed public scrutiny of government actions but cautioned against politicising security issues.
“If you want to counter us, counter us on facts, not emotions,” he Said.