Nigeria’s Security Agencies Record Major Gains in September—NOA

By Chinedu Echianu

Nigeria’s security, intelligence, and regulatory agencies sustained major operations across the country in September 2025, leading to significant gains in the ongoing fight against crime, terrorism, and other forms of insecurity.

This was disclosed at the September edition of the Joint Security Press Briefing (JSPB), held on Monday at the National Orientation Agency (NOA) Headquarters in Abuja.

According to the Executive Summary presented at the briefing by the Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Issa-Onilu, the achievements align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, reflecting “a robust tempo of intelligence-led operations, cross-agency collaboration, and citizen engagement” across the security architecture.

According to him, the Nigerian Army conducted 196 operations across various geopolitical zones, targeting terrorists, insurgents, and bandits. The operations led to the rescue of 76 kidnapped victims in Katsina State and the surrender of 30 terrorists with their families in Borno State. Several insurgent leaders and collaborators were also arrested in Niger, Sokoto, and Anambra States.

In Kwara State, troops intensified anti-bandit operations following deadly attacks in Oke-Ode, Lafiagi, and Patigi, leading to the elimination of notorious terrorist leader Kachalla Maidawa and 11 associates.

Meanwhile the presentation also indicated that intelligence services intercepted multiple arms traffickers across Niger, Kaduna, Plateau, Ekiti, Ebonyi, and Katsina, seizing assault rifles, machine guns, and over 2,000 rounds of ammunition.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested 1,703 suspects and dismantled 37 major drug syndicates, seizing more than 212,000 kilograms of narcotics.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) recovered ₦446 million, restrained ₦172 million, and secured three convictions from 33 ongoing investigations, while setting up eight Anti-Corruption Units (ACTUs) in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) identified illicit mining as a key channel for terrorism financing and launched collaborative measures with domestic and international partners to dismantle related networks.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) responded to 589 crashes, rescuing 3,848 people and recording 252 fatalities, while launching a paperless Electronic Document Management System (EDMS).

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) generated ₦658.6 billion in September, intercepting arms, industrial drones, and contraband goods, and unveiling a One-Stop-Shop platform to streamline trade clearance.

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) rescued 20 human trafficking victims, repatriated 48 Nigerians from Niger Republic, and intercepted 20 stowaways.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) seized falsified drugs and unregistered products worth millions of naira in 40 enforcement operations, including joint raids inside military barracks in collaboration with the Navy.

The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) foiled smuggling attempts at Kuje Custodial Centre and expanded rehabilitation efforts, enrolling 291 inmates for national exams and constructing an 8-classroom block.

The briefing noted that agencies made major strides in preventive intelligence, citizen communication, digital transformation, and institutional reform.

The FRSC and Customs introduced technology-driven systems to enhance efficiency and reduce corruption, while correctional facilities shifted focus from incarceration to rehabilitation.

Meanwhile, the NFIU’s exposure of illegal mining as a terror-financing mechanism has prompted new security-financial intelligence protocols and training for personnel.

Despite these gains, authorities acknowledged persisting challenges, including banditry in parts of the North-West and North-Central, smuggling and trafficking networks, and communal clashes in some regions.

The briefing also mourned the death of five FRSC officers who were killed while performing their duties, describing their loss as “a reminder of the human cost of public safety.”

The NOA said it continued to coordinate public communication through multilingual advisories, jingles, and verified updates to counter misinformation and enhance citizen trust.

“Trust is Nigeria’s strongest security asset. Where there is trust, there is compliance; where there is understanding, there is cooperation,” the statement read.

The Agency urged citizens to report suspicious activities, avoid spreading unverified information, and comply with laws and safety regulations. It also appealed to journalists to promote verified, fact-based reporting and narratives of national unity.