NOA: Police killed 78 terrorists, rescued 175 kidnap victims in one month

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) says the police killed 78 suspected terrorists and rescued 175 kidnap victims in the country within a month.

Lanre Issa-Onilu, the NOA director-general, spoke on Monday during the national joint security press briefing at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.

Issa-Onilu said the police carried out 326 operations, resulting in the arrest of 2,109 suspects and dismantling 62 criminal gangs.

He noted that 16 police officers were killed in the line of duty, while 49 civilian deaths were verified in connection with various security incidents.

Issa-Onilu said significant recoveries were made during the operations, including 142 firearms and 1,730 rounds of ammunition.

Narcotics and prohibited substances seized comprised approximately 218 kilograms of cannabis sativa in various forms, 24 capsules of Tramadol, 440 units of Exol, 68 sachets of Pregabalin, 146 bottles of “suck and die”, and 63 containers of “rubber solution”.

He added that anti-smuggling efforts led to the interception of 199 cartons of imported toothpaste. Asset recovery included 79 motor vehicles, 10 tricycles, 17 motorcycles, and N10,092,800 in cash.

Issa-Onilu said the federal government has escalated security operations nationwide, merging tactical enforcement with intelligence-led interventions.

He said banditry, insurgency, trafficking, and other crimes are being tackled through seamless inter-agency cooperation, resulting in significant arrests, rescues, and asset seizures.

“From the North-East to the Niger Delta, our security forces are reclaiming the peace, one operation at a time. Nigeria is fighting back- decisively and collaboratively,” he said.

Issa-Onilu asked citizens and the media to report threats, avoid amplifying unverified content and collaborate with authorities to protect our communities.