The Federal Government has announced new measures to combat criminal groups responsible for violence and insecurity across the country.

The announcement was made on Monday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during the End-of-Year Press Conference held in Abuja.

Speaking while confirming the release of all schoolchildren abducted in Niger State, the Minister disclosed that the government has introduced a new National Counter-Terrorism Doctrine, which will take effect in 2025.

According to Idris, the doctrine is built on four key pillars: unified command, intelligence, community stability, and counterinsurgency.

He stated that any armed group involved in kidnapping schoolchildren, attacking farmers, or terrorizing communities will henceforth be officially designated and treated as a terrorist organization.

“Let me be clear about what this means: from now on, any armed group that kidnaps our children, attacks our farmers, or terrorizes our communities will be classified and dealt with as a terrorist organization. The era of ambiguous nomenclature is over,” the Minister said.

On the release of the abducted pupils, Idris confirmed that all 230 students taken in the most recent abduction had been successfully rescued.

He emphasized that none of the pupils remains in captivity, attributing the successful rescue operation to the sustained efforts of the nation’s security agencies.

The Minister also expressed the Federal Government’s sympathy to the affected families, acknowledging the trauma caused by the abduction.

“In this joyous season, the Federal Government empathizes with the parents for the anguish they endured and wishes them a peaceful family reunion, a smooth healing process, and a Merry Christmas,” he added.