Nigerian government, through the National Orientation Agency, NOA, has revealed that over 78 suspected terrorists were killed by the Nigeria police and 175 kidnap victims rescued in the country within a month.
Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Lanre Issa-Onilu, said this while addressing a national joint security press briefing at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Monday.
According to him, the police carried out 326 operations which led to the apprehension of 2,109 suspects and the dismantling of 62 criminal gangs.
He noted that during the operations, the Nigeria police lost about 16 of its personnel in the line of duty, while 49 civilian deaths were recorded in connection with various security incidents.
Issa-Onilu said that about 142 firearms and 1,730 rounds of ammunition were recovered.
Furthermore, he said that Narcotics and prohibited substances seized by the security operatives 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.
He warned criminals or those intending to do crime to be aware that the federal government has escalated security operations nationwide.
“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.
