Nigerian Army rescues 76 kidnapped victims, FRSC rescues 3848 accident victims in 589 road crashes in September 2025

By Clement Ezeolisah 

The Nigeria’s security, intelligence, enforcement and paramilitary agencies have sustained a robust tempo of operations and further degraded the capabilities of criminal and terrorist groups in the nation, going by security report of operations in September 2025.

With confidence, the Coordinator of the Monthly Joint Security Press Briefing committee and Director General, NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa -Onilu reeled out the September achievements to pressmen gathered in the NOA Headquarters in Abuja.

The Nigerian Army conducted 196 operations across various geopolitical zones targeting terrorists, insurgents, bandits, kidnappers, and violent extremists. They rescued 76 kidnapped victims in Katsina and received the surrender of 30 terrorists in Borno State.

For NDLEA, 1,703 suspects (1,509 males and 194 females) were arrested, 37 major drug syndicates across the country were dismantled, over 212,000 kg of narcotics were seized.

NAFDAC on its own conducted 40 enforcement operations across various regions targeting fake and unregistered products and confiscated multiple containers of falsified medicines, syringes, soaps, lotions, smuggled drugs, and vegetable oil, 10 suspects linked to illegal importation and distribution of regulated products.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) responded to 589 road traffic crashes nationwide in September 2025. It rescued 3,848 people (1,834 with injuries, 2,014 without injuries). 252 fatalities were recorded from these incidents.

It recovered 10 stolen vehicles, flagged and traced via the National Vehicle Identification System (NVIS) portal and launched an Electronic Document Management System (EDMS), marking a complete transition to paperless administration.

In addition, FRSC organized 3 mobile court operations and conducted wide-reaching public safety campaigns, including multilingual jingles and sensitisation town halls.

According to VOA DG, “These outcomes demonstrate the coordinated resilience of Nigeria’s security and governance architecture where public trust, operational strength, and institutional reform continue to align in service of national safety.”

Compared with operations in August, Mallam Onilu said operations in September ramped up engagement with citizens. NDLEA issued six strategic statements and countered 12 pieces of fake news. FRSC expanded its road safety messaging with 201 social media posts and 16 radio campaigns. NAFDAC also reached the public with 40 publications and four product safety alerts. This visibility countered misinformation and reassures citizens about real-time actions being taken.

On the down side however, the DG reported the death of 5 Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officers who were fatally struck while performing their lawful duties during the period under review. “These deaths highlight the often-overlooked dangers that frontline personnel face daily—not only in active combat or enforcement scenarios but also during routine national service.

“The sacrifice of these officers serves as a solemn reminder of the human cost of public safety and the need for enhanced protection measures for field operatives.”

He called on citizens to always report suspicious movements, illegal activities and substandard products via official hotlines and digital platforms managed by the NDLEA, NAFDAC, Nigeria Police, and other agencies.

They should also avoid spreading unverified information on social media, especially in relation to ongoing security operations or alleged attacks. False information fuels panic and undermines public trust, he said.

The Coordinator called on the media to amplify verified advisories and factual reporting from agencies such as the NDLEA, NAFDAC, NIS, and the Armed Forces. Promote narratives of unity, resilience, and hope, especially in the face of security challenges. And also urged to participate in NOA organized training on ethical and responsible security reporting, disinformation tracking, and peace journalism.