The Nigerian government has said that police officers killed 78 suspected terrorists and rescued 175 people who had been kidnapped within the last month.

This was made known by Lanre Issa-Onilu, the Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), during a press briefing held in Abuja.

According to him, police carried out 326 operations during the month. These led to the arrest of 2,109 suspects and the break-up of 62 criminal gangs.

However, he also revealed that 16 police officers were killed during these operations. In addition, 49 civilians lost their lives in different security-related incidents.

The police recovered 142 guns and 1,730 rounds of ammunition during their raids.

In the area of drug control, security officers seized 218 kilograms of cannabis, 24 Tramadol capsules, 440 Exol pills, 68 Pregabalin sachets, 146 bottles of “suck and die,” and 63 containers of “rubber solution.”

Anti-smuggling officers also stopped 199 cartons of foreign toothpaste from entering the country.

Other items recovered by the police include 79 vehicles, 10 tricycles, 17 motorcycles, and cash totaling N10,092,800.

Issa-Onilu warned those planning to commit crimes that the federal government has increased security efforts across the country. He said that security agencies are working hard to bring peace back to all parts of Nigeria.

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