Security Agencies Record Major Gains In September — NOA

National Orientation Agency (NOA) has hailed the nation’s security and enforcement institutions for what it described as “robust and coordinated” achievements recorded across Nigeria in September 2025, under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

At the agency’s monthly joint security press briefing in Abuja yesterday, the director-general, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, said the month under review reflected a sustained commitment to national safety, institutional integrity and inclusive governance.

He said the Nigerian Army, police and several security agencies executed hundreds of intelligence-led operations that degraded criminal networks, rescued hostages and recovered weapons and contraband across the country.

The Nigerian Army, he said, conducted 196 operations targeting terrorists, insurgents, bandits, and kidnappers — rescuing 76 kidnapped victims, recovering arms and ammunition, and destroying weapon factories in several states.

The Nigeria Police Force carried out 107 operations, arrested 2,547 suspects, and rescued 105 hostages, while also recovering 212 firearms, ₦250 million in cash, and hundreds of bags of cannabis.

In its report, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested 1,703 suspects — 1,509 males and 194 females — and dismantled 37 major drug syndicates nationwide. The agency also seized over 212,000 kilogrammes of narcotics and recovered firearms.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) intercepted 20 human trafficking victims in Jibiya and facilitated the repatriation of 48 Nigerians from Niger Republic. It also processed 13,000 visas, deported 1,282 irregular migrants, and foiled several stowaway attempts.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) generated ₦658.6 billion in revenue during September, boosted by enhanced enforcement and digital systems. The Service also intercepted firearms, industrial drones, and high-risk contraband in the South-West region.

Similarly, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) responded to 589 road crashes, rescuing 3,848 people while recording 252 fatalities. It launched an Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) and rolled out multilingual road safety campaigns nationwide.

Issa-Onilu emphasised that the impressive results were products of intelligence-sharing, collaboration, and sustained citizen engagement.

He urged Nigerians to avoid spreading unverified information on social media, warning that false reports fuel panic and undermine public trust.

“Your vigilance saves lives. Your voice matters. Your cooperation strengthens national security,” he said.

The NOA boss called on the media to prioritise verified reports and participate in training on ethical and responsible security reporting, disinformation tracking, and peace journalism.

He also urged Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to strengthen anti-corruption compliance and whistleblowing mechanisms, while encouraging border agencies to deepen intelligence sharing.

Issa-Onilu emphasised that national security extends beyond military operations, ultimately relying on “collaboration, vigilance, and mutual trust” between citizens and the government.

“Securing the country goes beyond operations. It requires unity of purpose and shared responsibility,” he said.

The NOA reiterated its call for citizens to report suspicious activities, illegal products, and substandard goods through official hotlines managed by the NDLEA, NAFDAC, Police, and other agencies.