By Mercy Peter
An attempt to smuggle hard drugs into the Kuje Correctional Centre in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has been foiled through the coordinated efforts of Nigeria’s security and regulatory agencies, including the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
This was disclosed by the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, during the monthly joint security briefing held at the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Monday.
Issa-Onilu commended the Nigerian Correctional Service for its vigilance, noting that the Service has also expanded its inmate rehabilitation initiatives.
He revealed that 291 inmates are currently enrolled for national examinations, while the Service has constructed an eight-classroom block and scaled up counselling and medical outreach programmes across correctional centres.
The NOA Director-General said Nigeria’s security agencies sustained a robust operational tempo, consolidating earlier gains and further degrading the capabilities of criminal and terrorist elements nationwide.
He said “the Nigerian Army conducted 196 operations across various geopolitical zones during the month, targeting terrorists, insurgents, bandits, kidnappers, and violent extremists. These operations, he said, resulted in the rescue of 76 kidnapped victims in Katsina State, while 30 terrorists, including women and children, surrendered in Borno State.
“He added that the Armed Forces have continued to shrink the operational space of terror groups, with key insurgent leaders and collaborators apprehended in Niger, Sokoto, and Anambra States.”
The DG further disclosed that the military successfully raided illegal weapon factories and arrested several arms traffickers, disrupting major local arms production and smuggling networks.
“Soldiers intercepted multiple arms traffickers across Niger, Plateau, Kaduna, Ekiti, Ebonyi, and Katsina States, seizing M-16 rifles, AK-47s, PKT machine guns, and over 2,000 rounds of ammunition,” he said. “These intelligence-led operations have significantly disrupted major weapons supply chains.”
Issa-Onilu also highlighted the progress made in the ongoing fight against illicit drugs, revealing that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested 1,703 suspects comprising 1,509 males and 194 females and dismantled 37 major drug syndicates across the country.
The agency also seized over 212,000 kilograms of narcotics during the period under review.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) carried out 40 enforcement operations in various regions, targeting the production and distribution of fake and unregistered products.
The NOA boss said the coordinated successes recorded across the country reflect the Federal Government’s sustained commitment to national safety, institutional integrity, and inclusive governance.
“From armed engagements in conflict zones to non-kinetic reforms in custodial centres, Nigeria’s security, enforcement, and regulatory agencies remain focused, coordinated, and increasingly citizen-centred,” Issa-Onilu said.
He stressed that achieving lasting peace and security requires collective responsibility and citizen participation.
“Securing the country goes beyond military operations it rests on collaboration, vigilance, and mutual trust,” he emphasized. “To every Nigerian, the message remains: your vigilance saves lives, your voice matters, and your cooperation strengthens national security.”
Mallam Issa-Onilu urged all stakeholders government, civil society, media, and citizens to work together to build a Nigeria where peace is not only a goal but a shared national achievement.
