Breaking: President Tinubu Says Armed Robbers, Violent Cults, Bandits, Others Will Be Treated As Terrorists, Orders Military On Standby
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday declared a major shift in Nigeria’s security policy, stating that armed robbers, violent cult groups, and other non-state armed actors will henceforth be treated as terrorists under a new national security framework.
The announcement came as he presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly in Abuja, where he also outlined an unprecedented ₦5.41 trillion allocation for defence and security.
Under what Mr. Tinubu described as a new national counter-terrorism doctrine, any group or individual wielding weapons outside the authority of the state will be classified and pursued as terrorists.
The president specifically listed bandits, militias, armed gangs, violent cults, armed robbers and forest-based criminal networks, as well as foreign-linked mercenaries, as falling under this expanded definition.
Mr. Tinubu emphasized that the policy change is aimed at tackling the rising scourge of violent crime that has afflicted swathes of the country, including kidnappings, extortion and community violence, which he said hamper national development and undermine public confidence in the rule of law.
“We will show no mercy to those who commit or support acts of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping for ransom and other violent crimes,” the president told lawmakers, stressing a unified and intelligence-driven approach to enforcement.
In addition to targeting the perpetrators themselves, the president warned that enablers and facilitators of violent groups — including financiers, informants, and political protectors — will also be subject to strict action under the new framework. This reflects an effort by the administration to address not just the visible actors but the broader networks that sustain insecurity.
To support this strategy, the government’s 2026 budget proposal places security as its top priority, both in funding and policy direction, marking what Mr. Tinubu described as a holistic redesign of Nigeria’s security architecture.
The president also instructed the military and other security agencies to be on standby to implement the new doctrine effectively as part of efforts to restore stability and safety across the country.
Breaking: President Tinubu Says Armed Robbers, Violent Cults, Bandits, Others Will Be Treated As Terrorists, Orders Military On Standby
Byadmin
Dec 20, 2025