The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially labelled kidnappers and violent armed groups as terrorists.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced the development during the Federal Government’s end-of-year press briefing in Abuja on Monday.
“Henceforth, any armed group or individual that kidnaps our children, attacks our farmers, and terrorizes our communities is officially classified and will be dealt with as a terrorist,” Idris said.
To protect vulnerable rural areas, Idris also announced the deployment of trained and equipped forest guards, who will combine surveillance, local intelligence, and rapid-response capabilities to secure forests and remote locations often used as hideouts by criminal groups.
Idris also highlighted the arrest of the ISWAP head residing in Nigeria, describing him as one of the most wanted terrorists on the African continent, with a substantial bounty placed on him by the United States.
“The most internationally wanted criminals, the ISWAP head residing in Nigeria, has been captured through the coordination of all the security agencies and those also in the intelligence community.
“Don’t forget that Abu Barra was captured a few months ago, and he was also presented to the public by the National Security Advisor 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, this was someone who had a large sum of money put on his head by even the Americans to capture him and bring him to justice.
“As we speak today, this gentleman, together with his chief of staff, are undergoing and having their day in court, and he is going to get justice that befits them,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chief of Army Staff, COAS Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Monday, directed troops of 2 Division of the Nigerian Army Area of Responsibilities to intensify offensive operations and decisively flush out all criminal elements operating within the area.