From mercy Peter
The Nigeria’s security and regulatory agencies have reported significant achievements in combating crime, terrorism, corruption, and drug trafficking between July and August 2025, according to the Director-General National Orientation Agency, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu.
Issa-Onilu made the disclosure during the Monthly Joint Security Press Briefing (JSPB) held on Monday at the National Orientation Agency (NOA) Headquarters, Abuja.
NOA boss provoded the updates alongside the Army, Police, NDLEA, EFCC, NAFDAC, and Immigration Service.
He highlighted intensified operations, improved inter-agency coordination, and expanded public communication efforts in line with Presidential directives to safeguard lives and ensure national security.
For the military, he said the army in the month of August 2025 executed 261 operations across the country. Notably, an ISWAP ambush in Borno was repelled with passengers rescued, 30 terrorists were neutralized in Zamfara through coordinated air and ground strikes, and 76 terrorists— including women and children—surrendered.
The Police, according to him with the period under review carried out 210 targeted operations, leading to 1,950 arrests, the dismantling of 37 gangs, and the rescue of 141 kidnap victims. Authorities also recovered 111 firearms, 48 explosives, and N250.74 million in cash.
NDLEA Operations: The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency seized 66,255.81 kg of narcotics, arrested 944 suspects, and rehabilitated 854 drug users. A major syndicate operating through Kano Airport was dismantled. To boost capacity, 48 new operational vehicles were deployed nationwide.
Anti-Corruption Efforts: The EFCC secured 588 convictions and recovered over N21.06 billion alongside foreign currencies. The ICPC recovered N5.5 billion and $368,390.95, established six Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs) in MDAs, and launched nine Students’ Anti-Corruption Vanguards.
Food & Drug Safety: NAFDAC intercepted 17 containers of falsified or unsafe products, including five containers of tomato paste. Multiple raids across major cities targeted counterfeit and expired goods.
Border Security & Migration Management: The Nigeria Immigration Service approved 10,803 visas in August with targeted rejections, deported 368 Nigerians and 105 foreigners, and intercepted 50 trafficking victims. Additionally, five stowaways were arrested and three Chinese nationals without valid visas were denied entry.
Authorities stressed that sustained operations from July into August yielded breakthroughs, including the arrest of leaders of the Ansaru and Mahmuda groups and the rescue of a Taraba University lecturer.
Police expanded capacity with two new Area Commands and upgraded five stations in Benue State, while NDLEA’s fleet boost improved rapid response nationwide.
Public communication also expanded significantly: the Police issued 278 press releases and 97 advisories; NDLEA engaged the media 12 times and countered nine misinformation items.
The NOA has activated its structures across the 36 states, FCT, and 774 LGAs to take sensitization into communities through press conferences, advocacy visits, and town hall meetings.
Despite the successes, troop and civilian casualties were recorded, alongside vandalism, communal tensions, and traffic-related incidents in parts of the country. Security agencies responded with patrols, dialogues, and joint operations.
The Armed Forces reiterated that their operations are guided by actionable intelligence and focused on precision strikes to minimize civilian harm.
“Our troops are degrading terror logistics and protecting communities and commuters. Citizens’ tips are turning into lifesaving operations,” security officials emphasized.
The NOA urged Nigerians to continue reporting suspicious movements, arms trafficking, ransom-linked financial flows, and drug-related activities while countering misinformation.
Public Call to Action
• Report arms movements and ransom-related cash flows.
• Support War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) clubs in schools and markets.
• Verify NAFDAC registration numbers before purchases.
• Use whistleblowing channels to expose corruption.
• Reject smuggling recruiters and irregular migration networks.
Security analysts project that arms interdictions will remain preemptive and intelligence-driven, with more leadership arrests and weapons seizures expected as criminal networks are mapped.
With expanded operational capacity and citizen-facing communication, officials expressed confidence that Nigeria is steadily closing space for terrorists, traffickers, and criminal syndicates.
“Every seized container is a family protected from harm, every rescued victim is a life put back on track, and every conviction is a step towards a safer, more accountable Nigeria,” the briefing concluded.
