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Tinubu reclassifies bandits, militias and violent cultists as terrorists
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New counterterrorism doctrine to unify command and intelligence
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2026 security funding tied to performance and accountability
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that bandits, militias, violent cult groups and other armed non-state actors will henceforth be treated as terrorists, warning that the Nigerian state will show no mercy to anyone involved in violent crimes.
The President made the declaration on Friday while presenting the 2026 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly, unveiling a sweeping overhaul of Nigeria’s security framework aimed at decisively confronting insecurity.
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Tinubu said his administration would no longer treat banditry, militancy, kidnapping and similar crimes as isolated offences, explaining that all such acts would now fall under a broader terrorism classification to enable tougher and more coordinated responses.
Under the revised security architecture, armed gangs, violent cults, militias, forest-based criminal networks and foreign-linked mercenaries operating outside state authority will be regarded as direct threats to national stability.
The President stressed that the new approach marks a shift toward a unified counterterrorism doctrine, built around intelligence sharing, coordinated command structures, community stability and strengthened counter-insurgency operations.
READ ALSO: Tinubu Declares Armed Groups as Terrorists Under New Security Doctrine
He warned that anyone who commits, supports, finances or facilitates violent crimes would face the full weight of the law, adding that the government would aggressively pursue perpetrators regardless of motive.
Tinubu also disclosed that increased allocations to security agencies in the 2026 budget would be tied to clear performance benchmarks, insisting that public spending must translate into improved safety across the country.
According to him, the government will continue to prioritise boosting the fighting capacity of the armed forces and security agencies through improved coordination, modern equipment and enhanced operational effectiveness nationwide.
