The Federal Government has formally designated kidnappers and violent armed groups operating across Nigeria as terrorists, signalling a tougher national response to abductions, attacks on farmers and persistent violence in rural communities.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced the decision on Monday during the Federal Government’s end-of-year press briefing in Abuja.
He said the new classification marks a shift from treating mass kidnappings and coordinated rural attacks as ordinary criminal acts, stressing that such groups will now face full counterterrorism measures.
“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.
According to the minister, the move ends years of uncertainty in the description of violent groups terrorising communities across the country.
“The era of ambiguous nomenclature is over. If you terrorise our people, whether as a group or an individual, you are a terrorist and will be classified as such. There is no hiding under any other name again,” he added.
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Idris explained that the designation would strengthen intelligence sharing and improve coordination among security agencies, allowing for faster and more decisive action against perpetrators of violence.
The minister also addressed recent diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and the United States following comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, who had threatened military intervention over alleged killings of Christians in Nigeria.
He said the disagreement had been largely resolved through diplomatic engagement.
“The recent diplomatic spat with the United States has been largely resolved through firm and respectful engagement, culminating in a strengthened partnership between America and Nigeria,” Idris said.
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Trump had, in October and November, described the situation of Christians in Nigeria as an “existential threat” and alleged a “genocide” amid the country’s security challenges.
While the remarks drew mixed reactions at home, Nigeria remains on Washington’s list of countries of particular concern over alleged violations of religious freedom.
The country was also affected last week by new visa and immigration restrictions announced by the Trump administration.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
