*Says Diplomatic spat’ with US on religious violence resolved
The Federal Government has officially designated kidnappers and violent armed groups as terrorists, marking a major escalation in Nigeria’s response to abductions, attacks on farmers, and community violence.
The announcement was made on Monday by the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, during the end-of-year press briefing in Abuja.
The move signals a shift from treating mass kidnappings and rural attacks as ordinary crimes to confronting them under 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.
“Now, the era of ambiguous nomenclature is over. If you terrorise our people, whether you are a group or an individual, you are a terrorist and will be classified as such. There is no name to hide under again,” the minister added.
He said the policy would strengthen intelligence sharing and operational coordination across security agencies, allowing for faster and more decisive action.
The minister noted that improved inter-agency collaboration has already produced results, adding that in 2025, two of the most internationally wanted criminals were captured through coordinated operations.
In a bid to secure vulnerable rural areas, Idris also announced the deployment of trained and equipped forest guards, explaining that the personnel would combine surveillance, local intelligence, and rapid-response capabilities to secure forests and remote locations often used as hideouts by criminal groups.
By classifying kidnappers as terrorists, the government is signalling zero tolerance for abductions and rural violence, while expanding the powers of security forces.
The forest guard initiative is expected to disrupt criminal supply routes, dismantle camps, and reassure farming communities affected by insecurity.
Idris further disclosed the arrest of the ISWAP leader residing in Nigeria, described as one of the most wanted terrorists on the African continent, who had a substantial bounty placed on him by the United States.
“Don’t forget that Abu Barra was captured a few months ago and was also presented to the public by the National Security Adviser and other security chiefs.
“Don’t forget that Abu Barra was captured a few months ago and was also presented to the public by the National Security Adviser and other security chiefs.
“This is one of the most wanted terrorists on the African continent, and he was captured through the coordination of our security forces.
“Remember also that this was someone who had a large sum of money placed on his head by the Americans to bring him to justice.
“As we speak today, this individual, together with his chief of staff, is undergoing trial and will receive justice that befits their crimes,” he said.
He also said the recent diplomatic dust-up with the United States, in which President Donald Trump threatened military intervention over the alleged killing of Christians, “has been largely resolved.”
“The recent diplomatic spat with the United States has been largely resolved through firm, respectful engagement culminating in a strengthened partnership between America and Nigeria,” the Information Minister, Mohammed Idris, said at a year-end news conference in Abuja.