15/10/2025
A Feature Story
Nigeria’s security agencies sustain momentum in September, strengthening public trust under the Renewed Hope Agenda
By Vivian Daniel, Abuja
Nigeria’s security and enforcement agencies have maintained a strong operational tempo across the country, recording remarkable achievements in September 2025 that reaffirm the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
This was disclosed during the Monthly Joint Security Press Briefing (JSPB) held on 13 October 2025, at the National Orientation Agency, Nigeria. (NOA) Headquarters, Old Federal Secretariat, Area 1, Abuja, where heads and spokespersons of key security, intelligence, and regulatory agencies presented updates on their coordinated operations, institutional reforms, and citizen engagement initiatives.
According to the Director-General (DG) of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Issa-Onilu, the joint briefing, a mechanism for transparency and inter-agency synergy, showcased how intelligence-led operations and technology-driven enforcement have helped disrupt criminal networks, protect borders, and strengthen public confidence in government institutions.
“In line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria’s security,
intelligence, enforcement and regulatory agencies sustained a robust tempo of operations in September 2025, consolidating on gains and further degrading the capabilities of criminal and
terrorist groups. These agencies, coordinating through intelligence-led operations, cross-sectoral collaboration, and citizen engagement, achieved a series of tactical and strategic outcomes that reaffirm the government’s commitment to its primary constitutional responsibility: the protection of lives and property,” he noted.
The DG underscored that collectively, the security and regulatory agencies recorded the following successes during the reporting period:
Military Operations: From Combat to Community Protection
The Nigerian Army led 196 tactical operations across all six geopolitical zones, targeting insurgents, terrorists, and bandits who continue to threaten national stability. According to field reports, troops neutralised several ISWAP and Boko Haram fighters, dismantled illegal weapon factories, and rescued 76 kidnapped victims in Katsina State.
In the North-East, 30 terrorists – including women and children – surrendered to troops in Borno following sustained aerial and ground offensives. In Niger, Sokoto, and Anambra states, insurgent leaders and collaborators were arrested, while raids in the South-East disrupted IPOB/ESN activities.
These results underscore what defence analysts describe as a strategic shift from reaction to prevention, with military operations now combining kinetic precision and humanitarian sensitivity.
“What we’re witnessing is a more integrated national defence posture and one that pairs intelligence, technology, and compassion,” said a senior defence official during the briefing.
Intelligence Services: Tracking Arms, Blocking Terror Financing
September marked a milestone for Nigeria’s Intelligence Community, which intercepted multiple arms traffickers across Niger, Plateau, Kaduna, Ekiti, Ebonyi, and Katsina States. The seizures included M-16 rifles, AK-47s, PKT machine guns, and over 2,000 rounds of live ammunition.
Through drone surveillance, real-time vehicle tracking, and local informant networks, intelligence agencies disrupted supply routes and arrested several cross-border smugglers. This proactive approach – detecting and dismantling threats before they escalate – earned commendation for shifting Nigeria’s security posture from reactionary to preventive.
In a related effort, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) flagged illegal mining as an emerging source of terrorism financing. The unit launched a multi-agency collaboration involving the UK Treasury and the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, with new frameworks now tracking suspicious fund flows tied to insurgent logistics.
NDLEA: Drug War Intensifies, Syndicates Fall
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intensified its nationwide offensive against narcotics. In September alone, it arrested 1,703 suspects (including 194 females), dismantled 37 major syndicates, and seized over 212,000 kilograms of illicit substances.
Among the breakthroughs were arrests of high-profile drug lords in Lagos, the interception of foreign suppliers linked to insurgent funding, and the confiscation of drug-related proceeds and fi****ms.
The NDLEA also expanded rehabilitation programmes for 372 individuals and provided counselling to nearly 1,000 others, reflecting the agency’s dual approach of enforcement and human recovery.
NAFDAC: Enforcement Expands to Barracks
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) recorded one of its most ambitious enforcement drives to date, conducting 40 operations that led to 10 arrests and the seizure of several containers of falsified drugs and unregistered consumer goods.
In a historic first, NAFDAC conducted joint operations inside military barracks, in partnership with the Nigerian Navy; a symbolic and strategic step toward tightening control over regulated products nationwide.
The agency also issued four public advisories and 40 publications, warning citizens about counterfeit syringes, substandard anti-malarial, and smuggled consumables.
“This is about saving lives at the grassroots level,” said a NAFDAC spokesperson. “Our mission is to ensure that only safe, approved products reach Nigerian homes.”
Correctional Service: Rehabilitation Takes Centre Stage
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) continued to deepen its transformation from punitive detention to reformation and reintegration. In September, it foiled attempts to smuggle narcotics into Kuje Custodial Centre, expanded surveillance infrastructure, and commissioned an eight-classroom block for inmates’ education.
A total of 291 inmates enrolled for NECO and NABTEB examinations nationwide, while partnerships with NGOs and state governments enabled scaled-up counselling, vocational training, and medical outreach programmes.
FRSC: Safety, Digitalisation, and Sacrifice
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) reported 589 road crashes, rescuing 3,848 people, including 1,834 with injuries. Tragically, 252 lives were lost, while five officers died in the line of duty.
Despite these losses, the corps made major strides in digital transformation – launching a new Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) that transitions the organisation to a fully paperless model.
The FRSC also launched multilingual road safety campaigns, mobile courts, and town hall meetings to reinforce discipline among motorists.
Nigeria Customs and Immigration: Borders Secured, Trade Boosted
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) generated ₦658.6 billion in September alone through enhanced enforcement and automation. Officers intercepted fi****ms, industrial drones, and high-risk contraband in the Southwest region.
To ease trade bottlenecks, the NCS launched a One-Stop-Shop platform for cargo clearance, streamlining operations and boosting transparency.
Similarly, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) recorded critical anti-trafficking operations, intercepting 20 victims at Jibiya and facilitating the repatriation of 48 Nigerians from the Niger Republic. It also processed 13,000 visas, deported over 1,200 persons, and intercepted 20 stowaways and 14 persons of interest.
ICPC: Fighting Corruption, Strengthening Integrity
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) secured three convictions, recovered ₦446 million, and restrained an additional ₦172 million pending forfeiture orders.
Eight new Anti-Corruption Units (ACTUs) were established across ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), while 77 public sensitisation sessions reached over 41,000 Nigerians, strengthening anti-corruption awareness and accountability.
Media Personnel Questions and Answers' Session with the Security Officials
Whilst responding to a question from the Sundiata Post and other journalists on whether or not the security personnel lack the will to end insecurity and what timeline they can give to Nigerians on when insecurity, especially kidnapping which has remained on the rise in different parts of the country, as well as the FCT-Abuja, would be a thing of the past, the Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Ben Hundeyin said “From what the NOA DG has narrated you can see what we are doing. We’d continue to deliver on our mandate in securing lives and property. So, there’s no timeframe for ending insecurity. You see, the day you see zero insecurity, that's when there is no life in that place. So, as long as there are humans, there’ll always be a bit of insecurity. Perhaps you’ll have 0.03% or maybe 1% of insecurity. This might sound a bit off, but you can't have 0% insecurity anywhere in the world. But this might sound a bit off… But we can assure you that everything we do now means to bring such to the barest minimum,” he assured.
On what the other agencies like FRCS, VIO, the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), etc., are doing to sensitise or train their officers more about how they go out of line most times on the road and cause heavy traffic while trying to park a vehicle or make arrests, Ben said, “Why wouldn't a driver stop if and when he is asked to stop? It is obvious that this is a security personnel who is legally on duty. It's not an illegal duty. And if he/she is asked to stop, why run away? I don't want to compare it with other countries’, like my friends would do on Twitter that’s become X.
"My friends would always say that 'if it were in other countries...' But the truth is, if you were to be in other countries, would you do that in those countries? Would the police or road safety stop you, and you decide to do fast and furious on the road? So, Nigerians do need to learn to be law-abiding. And that's why the word is called enforcement. It's not for fun that force is applied for enforcement. Because humans, by nature, would want to rebel against authority. So, it has to be enforced. But we could be overzealous sometimes; that’s why we need you to report such actions. As other agencies have created such platforms where you can log in your reports, likewise the NPF."
Ben rolled out the Police Complaint Response Unit telephone lines: 0805 700 0001; 0805 700 0002 and 0805 700 0003 (which is for WhatsApp) in case anyone decides to take photos or record videos, so that way, the faces of officers and/or motorists involved would be seen clearly alongside the name of the division of such officers.
He equally encouraged Nigerians to play their part by notifying the NPF of any area where there is not enough police presence, as that would be taken care of.
The representative of the Nigerian Army reiterated all the Police PRO highlighted regarding the issue of ending insecurity in Nigeria, whilst the FRSC representative noted that their officers receive training every week but “They would always be a bad egg in the midst of the good ones.”
NOA and Public Communication: Rebuilding Trust through Transparency
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) - coordinator of the National Joint Security Communication Framework has intensified public education in all 36 states and the FCT.
Through multilingual radio jingles, town hall meetings, and verified social media updates, the NOA provided (and still provides) factual, real-time communication on national security activities while countering misinformation.
Unanimously, officials stressed that “Trust is Nigeria’s strongest security asset.” By reinforcing transparency, the NOA has positioned public understanding as a key pillar of national resilience.
Persistent Threats and National Outlook
The DG of the NOA stressed that despite the commendable progress being recorded, challenges remain. Smuggling, arms trafficking, and banditry continue to test national resolve, particularly in border regions. Communal tensions, logistical bottlenecks, and the sacrifice of frontline personnel highlight the ongoing complexity of Nigeria’s security landscape.
To address these, agencies are deepening intelligence sharing, scaling up technology deployment, and embedding community vigilance into operational design.
The outlook for the coming months, according to the NOA, remains “cautiously optimistic,” driven by stronger inter-agency collaboration, citizen engagement, and the shared national goal of peace through participation.
A Call to Shared Responsibility
The September 2025 National Joint Security Press Briefing ended with a resounding call to action: national security is not the burden of government alone; it is a shared civic duty.
Citizens were urged to report suspicious movements, avoid spreading fake news, comply with traffic laws, and engage responsibly online and offline. Media practitioners were encouraged to amplify verified agency reports and participate in ethical security reporting workshops, alongside those ones organised by the NOA.
Institutions were reminded to strengthen anti-corruption systems, improve intelligence sharing, and incorporate public feedback into reforms.
In Conclusion, the DG of the NOA, Lanre Issa-Onilu, reaffirmed that the fight against insecurity is from counterterrorism to people’s safety, from anti-drug operations to inmate rehabilitation. Nigeria’s security architecture is truly demonstrating resilience through reform, collaboration, and transparency.
The National Joint Security Press Briefing serves as a mirror of national progress, showing not just the fight against insecurity, but the rise of a new governance culture rooted in public trust and accountability.
As the Renewed Hope Agenda continues to unfold, Nigerians are reminded that peace is not only a government achievement, it is a shared national commitment.
“Your vigilance saves lives. Your voice matters. Your cooperation strengthens national security,” he concluded the briefing.
The security agencies and paramilitary agencies that attended the joint National Security Press Briefing include: the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Correctional Service, the Nigerian Defence, the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), NAFDAC, NDLEA, et al.
