The Federal Government of Nigeria has formally classified kidnappers and violent armed groups as terrorists, marking a significant escalation in the country’s response to abductions and rural violence. The announcement was made on Monday by the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, during an end-of-year press briefing in Abuja.

The new policy signals a shift from treating mass kidnappings and attacks on communities as ordinary crimes to confronting them under counterterrorism measures. Minister Idris emphasized that anyone involved in kidnapping children, attacking farmers, or terrorizing communities will now be officially treated as a terrorist, removing any ambiguity in how such acts are addressed.

The designation is intended to enhance intelligence sharing and operational coordination among security agencies, allowing for faster and more effective responses. Idris highlighted that collaborative operations have already yielded results, including the capture of two of the most wanted criminals in 2025.

As part of efforts to secure rural areas, the government has deployed trained forest guards tasked with surveillance, rapid response, and intelligence gathering. These personnel will focus on locations often used as hideouts by criminal groups.

Idris also noted the recent capture of the ISWAP leader residing in Nigeria, described as one of Africa’s most wanted terrorists, who had a substantial bounty from the United States. “Through coordination among our security agencies, this individual and his chief of staff have been brought to justice,” he said, stressing the government’s commitment to tackling armed groups decisively.

This move is part of a broader effort to ensure rural safety, dismantle criminal networks, and reassure farming communities affected by insecurity.