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Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu said on Friday that his government will classify bandits, kidnappers, violent cult groups, and other armed non-state actors as terrorists under a new security framework.
Tinubu made the declaration while presenting the 2026 budget proposal to a joint session of the National Assembly in Abuja. He said the new approach would target not only those who carry out violent acts but also those who finance and support them.
“Under this new architecture, any armed group or gun-wielding non-state actors operating outside state authority will be regarded as terrorists,” Tinubu told lawmakers.
According to him, “bandits, militias, armed gangs, armed robbers, violent cults, forest-based armed groups, and foreign-linked mercenaries will all be targeted” under the policy.
The former Lagos State governor added that the government would pursue individuals who perpetrate violence for political or sectarian reasons, as well as their sponsors.
“We will go after all those who perpetrate violence for political or sectarian ends, along with those who finance and facilitate their evil schemes.”
The president said the new doctrine would “fundamentally change how we confront terrorism and other violent crimes”, as Nigeria continues to face a surge in banditry, mass abductions, and other security challenges in recent months.
“We will usher in a new era of criminal justice. We will show no mercy to those who commit or support acts of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and other violent crimes,” Tinubu said.
Tinubu also pledged continued investment in security, saying his administration would focus on strengthening the capacity of the armed forces and other security agencies through improved equipment and resources.
“To secure our country, our priority will remain on increasing the fighting capability of our armed forces and other security agencies and boosting the effectiveness of our fighting forces with cutting-edge equipment and other hardware,” he said.
Tinubu has proposed ₦5.41 trillion for security and defence in the 2026 budget, out of a total proposed expenditure of ₦58.1 trillion. The allocation represents the largest share for any sector in the budget proposal
