Tinubu Govt Declares Fulani Terrorists, Cults, and Armed Groups Terrorist Organizations

In a bold policy shift aimed at tackling Nigeria’s escalating insecurity, Bola Tinubu has announced that Fulani terrorists, violent cults, and all armed groups operating outside state authority will henceforth be classified and treated as terrorist organizations.

Speaking during the presentation of the ₦58.18 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly, Tinubu outlined a new counterterrorism doctrine that eliminates previous distinctions between criminal acts and terrorism.

“Under this new architecture, any armed group or gun-wielding non-state actors operating outside state authority will be regarded as terrorists,” Tinubu declared.

He specifically highlighted Fulani terrorists, violent cult groups, armed gangs, forest-based armed collectives, and foreign-linked mercenaries as falling under this designation.

The move extends beyond direct perpetrators to include their enablers.

Financiers, informants, ransom facilitators, arms suppliers, political protectors, and even community or religious leaders found aiding these groups will face the full weight of anti-terrorism laws.

“We will show no mercy to terrorists and their supporters,” Tinubu emphasized, signaling an end to lenient approaches toward armed violence.

This declaration comes amid persistent attacks attributed to Fulani terrorists in various parts of the country, including clashes over land and resources that have claimed numerous lives.

By branding these groups as terrorists, the government aims to unlock stronger legal tools, enhanced military operations, and coordinated intelligence efforts to dismantle their networks.

Backing the policy is a record ₦5.41 trillion allocation for defence and security in the 2026 budget – the largest sectoral funding and representing about 9% of total expenditure.

Tinubu described security as the bedrock of national progress, vowing investments in modernizing the armed forces, intelligence-driven operations, and unified command structures.

The announcement has been hailed by some as a long-overdue step to confront terrorism head-on, while others express cautious optimism, calling for swift implementation to restore peace across affected regions.

Tinubu’s 2026 budget, tagged one of consolidation and renewed resilience, prioritizes security alongside economic recovery, with projections of sustained growth and declining inflation.

As Nigeria grapples with multiple threats, this terrorist designation marks a pivotal escalation in the fight against armed non-state actors.