Abuja: The National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) has declared that there is no meaningful distinction between mass kidnapping and terrorism, stressing that both are deliberate acts aimed at instilling fear, undermining state authority, and destabilizing society. The National Coordinator of the NCTC, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, stated this in Abuja during an end-of-year media parley with journalists, where he outlined the Federal Government’s evolving counter-terrorism strategy.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Laka emphasized that criminal gangs involved in mass kidnapping, banditry, and related violent crimes now operate in ways that mirror classical terrorist groups in both impact and intent. He questioned the objectives behind kidnapping hundreds of schoolchildren or attacking entire communities, suggesting that these acts aim to instill terror, extract concessions, and cripple normal life. The resulting effects, such as mass displacement, shutdown of schools and farms, and psychological trauma, are indistinguishable from those caused by terrorism.
Laka highlighted that President Bola Tinubu’s formal classification of bandits, armed non-state actors, and major criminal gangs as terrorists marked a decisive shift in Nigeria’s national security policy. This reclassification allows for a more unified and forceful response under both Nigerian and international law. He explained that traditional insurgent groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) are ideologically driven, while bandit groups increasingly exhibit core terrorist characteristics, including territorial control, parallel taxation, and organised violence.
The NCTC coordinator revealed growing evidence of convergence between insurgents and bandits, including shared weapons, logistics, and tactical cooperation, which has blurred operational lines and strengthened the case for a single counter-terrorism framework. He also urged the media to balance press freedom with national security considerations, cautioning against the premature release of sensitive operational details that could endanger lives or compromise ongoing operations.
Laka reaffirmed the NCTC’s commitment to sustained engagement with the media through regular briefings and structured information sharing, noting that strategic communication remains vital to countering extremist narratives and reassuring the public. He commended the Nigerian media for their professionalism and resilience, describing journalists as indispensable partners in the fight against terrorism, violent extremism, and organised crime. He expressed optimism that stronger coordination, intelligence fusion, and responsible reporting would enhance national cohesion and help deny criminals the publicity they seek.