In a decisive move to curb the rising wave of insecurity across Nigeria, the Federal Government has officially designated kidnappers and violent armed groups as terrorists.
This announcement was made on Monday by the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, during an end of year press briefing held in Abuja.
According to the Minister, the classification signals a major escalation in the government’s approach to dealing with crimes such as mass abductions, attacks on farmers, and rural violence, which have plagued many parts of the country.
This designation shifts the handling of such crimes from regular law enforcement to counterterrorism operations, opening the door to more forceful and coordinated military and intelligence responses.
It is also expected to allow for stiffer penalties and international cooperation in combating groups involved in these activities, including access to terrorism related surveillance, sanctions, and legal tools.
The move comes as Nigeria continues to battle with rising insecurity in regions like the Northwest, North Central, and parts of the South, where kidnappings for ransom, killings, and displacements have become widespread.
Security analysts believe this decision could lead to stronger rules of engagement and quicker intervention by the military and DSS in dealing with such groups.
The Minister concluded by assuring Nigerians that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is determined to restore peace and uphold the rule of law in every part of the country.
