The National Orientation Agency has revealed that the Nigeria Police Force made 1,950 arrests and rescued 141 victims, while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission secured 588 convictions and recovered N21.06 billion in August.
The Director General of the NOA, Lanre Issa-Onilu, disclosed this at the second monthly Joint Press Security Press Briefing organised by the agency on Monday.
In its previous edition in July, the DG disclosed that the Police neutralised 78 terrorists, rescued 175 kidnap victims across 326 operations, adding that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps also resolved 720 conflicts.
Speaking during the briefing on Monday, Issa-Onilu said the Nigerian Army executed 261 operations, the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency seized 66,255.81kg of narcotics, while the Nigerian Immigration Service strengthened border control, approving 10,803 visas, with targeted denials, and trafficking victims intercepted.
In a further breakdown, the agency said the Nigeria Police conducted 210 operations nationwide throughout August 2025, made 1,950 arrests, dismantled 37 criminal gangs, rescued 141 kidnap victims, neutralised 18 terrorists, and recorded 17 personnel casualties and 42 civilian deaths.
The Nigerian Army executed 261 operations across all zones of the country, repelling an ambush by the Islamic State West Africa Province, neutralising 30 terrorists in Zamfara air-ground strikes, leading to the surrender of 76 terrorists, including women and children.
It added that in the war against corruption, the EFCC investigated 1,293 cases, secured 588 convictions and recovered N21.06bn, and foreign currencies $2,018,760 (N3,047,136,531.60), £74,450 (N152,105,965.90) €201,015 (N356,258,884.50), and 500 Canadian Dollars (N546,723.24).
The agency also said the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency, “recorded 944 arrests (809 males, 135 females). Of these, 186 cases were charged to court, securing 17 convictions, including two drug kingpins. Operations led to the seizure of 66,255.81kg of narcotics, 12 firearms, assorted ammunition, three vehicles, and N26 million in drug proceeds.
Issa-Onilu said the results “reflect positive outcomes from tighter inter-agency coordination, stronger intelligence-led actions, and expanded public-facing communication to counter misinformation in line with Presidential directives, in ongoing efforts to keep our country safe,” he said.
Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, has praised Lieutenant Yarima, the naval officer involved in a confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over a disputed land in Abuja.
The property is said to belong to former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo.
Government Promises Protection for Officers on Lawful Duty
Addressing journalists at the National Defence College, Abuja, during a press briefing on the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Celebration, Badaru reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to defending military personnel performing their lawful duties.
He said, “At the Ministry and across the Armed Forces, we will always protect our officers performing their duties lawfully. Lieutenant Yarima has acted commendably, and we will ensure his safety.
“We are thoroughly reviewing this matter, and I assure you that any officer performing legitimate duties will receive full protection.”
Viral Video Sparks Public Reactions
Badaru’s comments come after a viral video captured a heated argument between Wike and a naval officer at a construction site in Gaduwa District, Abuja.
In the video, Wike accused the officer of blocking his access to the site, stressing that no one is above the law. The officer, however, maintained that he was following orders from his superiors.
The incident has since generated widespread public debate, with many Nigerians commending the officer’s calmness during the encounter.
A retired Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sunny Anyanwu, has made a generous offer to Lieutenant Ahmad Yerima, the viral naval officer who stood up to FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Notably, Ahmad Yerima has been making headlines following a viral video showing a heated confrontation with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
Lieutenant A.M. Yerima
Retired Officer Offers His Pension To Lieutenant Ahmad Yerima
In his Facebook post, the retired Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sunny Anyanwu, revealed he earns a monthly pension of N49,000, and offered N5,000 to the naval officer.
Furthermore, he stressed that Lieutenant Ahmad Yerima should be regarded as a British-trained officer.
Read Post Below…..
Out of my #49k monthly pension, I have decided to offer #5K to the Naval officer that had open confrontation with the FCT minister WIKE.
The officer could be regarded as a British trained officer. I will also advice President Tinubu to honor him with the award of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR).
His Bank details should be forwarded through his department pls. This is the type of insult I took for 35yrs and gets #49k monthly pension.
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has described the recent altercation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and a naval officer in Abuja as an embarrassment coming from a ‘disgraced nation.’
In a statement shared on social media, Obi said the altercation was “yet another unfortunate reflection of the growing institutional disorder in our country.”
According to him, what should have been a routine civic encounter degenerated into “a public spectacle” that exposes deeper governance problems.
He wrote;
‘’Wike versus Naval Officer: A Lesson for National Reflection
The recent needless altercation between the FCT Minister, HE, Barr. Nyesom Wike and a Naval officer are yet another unfortunate reflection of the growing institutional disorder in our country. What should ordinarily be a routine civic encounter has, once again, become a national embarrassment— a typical example coming out of a ‘disgraced country’
Beyond the personalities involved, this incident raises fundamental questions that demand honest national reflection:
Should the military be used for purely civil operations? If proper protocols were in place, should a Minister’s intervention in such a matter be in such an indecorous manner?
Shouldn’t there be clear boundaries between administrative authority and the duties of security agencies?
What does this say about our respect for institutions and the separation of powers? Why are our men and women in uniform so often drawn into civilian disputes? Why has the culture of due process and civility given way to public spectacle and confrontation? If our institutions worked as they should, would tempers flare in situations that should be handled by clear procedure and hierarchy? Above all, what example do incidents like this set for our younger generation about leadership, discipline, and the rule of law?
These are not just questions about one incident – they go to the very heart of how our nation is governed. When public officials act beyond institutional norms, and when security agencies are used in ways that blur their professional boundaries, we weaken both governance and public trust.
We must learn from this episode. It is time to rebuild a nation where institutions are stronger than individuals; where public office is exercised with humility and restraint; where the dignity of our uniformed officers and the rights of every citizen are upheld.
A country that aspires to greatness and feels insulted when referred to as a disgraced nation must replace the culture of impunity with the discipline of law, order, and respect for due process.
Repeatedly, I have maintained that to occupy an office and be referred to as His Excellency, Distinguished or Honourable, how we get to such an office and our character and behaviour while holding it or out of it should reflect such exemplary titles in all ramifications.”
