Nigeria classifies kidnappers and bandits as terrorists

Nigeria’s federal government has formally designated kidnappers and violent armed groups operating across the country as terrorists, marking a significant shift in how authorities say they will respond to widespread abductions, rural attacks and communal violence.

The announcement was made on Monday in Abuja by Information and National Orientation Minister Mohammed Idris during the government’s end-of-year press briefing.

Idris said the designation ends the long-standing practice of treating mass kidnappings and attacks on farming communities as ordinary criminal activity, adding that such acts would now fall under the country’s counterterrorism framework.

“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.

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He said the change was intended to remove what he described as ambiguity in how violent groups had previously been labelled, arguing that clearer classification would allow security agencies to respond more decisively.

“If you terrorise our people, whether you are a group or an individual, you are a terrorist and will be classified as such,” the minister said.

Idris said the designation would improve intelligence sharing and coordination among security agencies, potentially allowing faster operations against groups responsible for kidnappings and attacks, particularly in rural areas where violence has persisted for years.

Nigeria has faced a surge in mass abductions, attacks on farmers and armed raids on villages, with criminal gangs — often referred to locally as bandits — operating across large parts of the north and central regions. Thousands have been killed or displaced, while ransom kidnappings have become a major security and humanitarian concern.

During the briefing, Idris also addressed recent diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and the United States following remarks by US President Donald Trump, who accused Nigeria of failing to protect Christians and suggested possible military action.

Idris 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,” he said.

Trump had earlier described the situation facing Nigerian Christians as an “existential threat” and referred to the violence as “genocide”, comments that drew mixed reactions within Nigeria.

While some groups welcomed international attention, others warned that framing Nigeria’s security crisis primarily along religious lines risked deepening divisions. Nigeria remains on the US list of countries of “particular concern” over alleged religious freedom violations.

Last week, Nigeria was also affected by new US visa and immigration restrictions announced by the Trump administration.

Oluwatosin Ogunjuyigbe is a writer and journalist who covers business, finance, technology, and the changing forces shaping Nigeria’s economy. He focuses on turning complex ideas into clear, compelling stories.

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