Federal Government toughens stance on insecurity, warns criminals nationwide

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…The Federal Government also cited the recent signing of a five-year, $5.1bn bilateral health agreement as evidence of a strong and intact relationship with the United State.

ABUJA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | The Federal Government has warned that terrorists and other criminal elements now have no hiding place in Nigeria’s forests, following its decision to officially classify kidnappers and violent armed groups as terrorist organisations.

The move marks a significant escalation in the country’s security response, shifting mass kidnappings, attacks on farmers and rural violence from being treated as conventional crimes to being confronted under full counterterrorism measures.

The Federal government also cited the recent signing of a five-year, $5.1bn bilateral health agreement as evidence of a strong and intact relationship with the United State. Dismissing claims that Nigeria’s diplomatic ties with the US had been strained

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this at a press conference in Abuja, where he also confirmed the release of all pupils abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, Niger State. He said the 230 pupils had regained their freedom through the efforts of security agencies, with none remaining in captivity.

Idris expressed sympathy with the families of the abducted pupils, acknowledging the trauma they endured and wishing them a smooth healing and reunion process.

He noted that in 2025, President Bola Tinubu declared a nationwide security emergency, which would translate into large-scale recruitment into the Armed Forces and the Nigeria Police Force, as well as the deployment of trained Forest Guards to secure forests and other vulnerable areas.

According to him, vast forested areas that previously served as ungoverned safe havens for criminals would now be brought under security surveillance.

“With this recruitment drive and the President’s declaration, there will be no hiding place for terrorists and criminals operating in our forests,” Idris said.

The minister added that the Federal government had adopted a new national counterterrorism doctrine anchored on four pillars, unified command, intelligence, community stability and counterinsurgency.

He recalled that in 2025, two internationally wanted terrorists, including a senior ISWAP commander based in Nigeria, were arrested through coordinated intelligence operations. He cited the arrest of Abu Bara, described as one of Africa’s most wanted terrorists, who had a bounty placed on him by the United States.

“Today, Abu Bara and his chief of staff are facing trial and will receive justice befitting their crimes,” Idris said.

He stressed that any armed group or individual involved in kidnapping, attacks on farmers or terrorising communities would henceforth be officially designated and treated as terrorists.

“The era of ambiguous nomenclature is over. If you terrorise our people, whether as a group or an individual, you are a terrorist and will be dealt with as such,” he declared.

On foreign relations, Idris said Nigeria had strengthened its standing on the global stage, noting that recent diplomatic tensions with the United States had been resolved through firm and respectful engagement.

He said the resolution had resulted in deeper collaboration, particularly in the area of security.

As further proof, he pointed to the recently signed $5.1bn bilateral health Memorandum of Understanding between Nigeria and the United States. Under the agreement, the U.S. will provide $2.1bn in grant funding, while Nigeria will commit $3bn.

He described the deal as the largest co-investment by any country under the America First Global Health Strategy, noting that it would strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system, save lives and attract investment.

The minister dismissed claims that the agreement favoured any particular religion, insisting that all Nigerians would benefit.

Idris also highlighted recent economic indicators, saying Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product grew by 3.98 per cent in the third quarter of 2025, driven largely by sustained expansion in the non-oil sector.

He said headline inflation declined for eight consecutive months to 14.45 per cent in November 2025, while food inflation continued on a downward trajectory.

According to him, external reserves rose to about $44.56bn, providing stability for the naira and boosting investor confidence. Nigeria also recorded a trade surplus of N6.69tn in the third quarter of 2025, representing a 27.29 per cent year-on-year increase.

Idris added that the Purchasing Managers’ Index showed 12 consecutive months of expansion in economic activity, while the country recorded its highest-ever daily power generation of 128,370.75 megawatt-hours in March 2025.

He said the year also saw the launch of the Presidential Metering Initiative and the issuance of the first bond under the Presidential Power Sector Debt Reduction Programme, described as the largest coordinated financial intervention in the sector’s history.

He further noted that Nigeria’s Eurobond issuance was oversubscribed by 400 per cent, reflecting strong investor confidence, and that the country had exited the Financial Action Task Force grey list, marking a new chapter for its financial sector.