CCC Report: Customs, NSCDC, Police Lead Positive Media Rankings in January 2026
A comprehensive Independent Media Assessment of Critical Stakeholders for January 2026 has revealed that several Nigerian security and emergency agencies enjoyed predominantly positive media coverage, with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the Nigeria Police Force emerging as top performers.
The monthly review, conducted by the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), tracked reportage across the Military, Security, Anti-Corruption, and Emergency Response sectors, offering a broad snapshot of how critical institutions were portrayed in the national media landscape.
Among all agencies assessed, the Nigeria Customs Service stood out for overwhelmingly positive coverage, largely driven by its exceptional revenue performance and enforcement achievements. The Apapa Command generated ₦2.93 trillion in 2025, while the Seme Command recorded a remarkable 117 per cent revenue surge. In Kwara State, the Command seized ₦1.2 billion worth of contraband within one month. Other highlights included the joint seizure of 30.1 kilograms of cocaine at Apapa Port and the forfeiture of a ₦1 billion Bombardier jet over unpaid customs duties.
The World Customs Organisation publicly commended Nigeria’s Time Release Study reforms, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also praised the Comptroller-General, reinforcing the agency’s growing positive perception both locally and internationally.
In the Military sector, a total of 309 reports were tracked during the month, with 140 classified as positive, 91 as fair, and 78 as negative. The Nigerian Air Force received notable commendation for sustained air operations and counter-terrorism successes. However, ongoing bandit attacks and high-casualty incidents contributed to negative narratives that tempered the overall assessment.
The Response Sector, covering the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Federal Fire Service (FFS), NSCDC, and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), recorded the most favourable sentiment among the three sectors reviewed. Of the 97 reports analysed, 50 were positive, 25 fair, and 22 negative.
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The NSCDC dominated coverage within this category, driven by high-impact enforcement operations. The Corps arrested over 800 suspected criminals in Ebonyi, intercepted stolen railway tracks in Bauchi, seized illegally transported lithium ore, rescued child trafficking victims in Zamfara, and cracked down on fuel smuggling and illegal mining activities. It also strengthened institutional partnerships and promoted personnel across multiple states, reinforcing its image as a proactive and expanding internal security agency.
In the broader Security and Paramilitary category, 148 media reports were analysed, with 92 rated positive, 31 fair, and 25 negative — reflecting a favourable coverage ratio. The Nigeria Police Force generated the highest volume of mentions, earning recognition for rescuing 309 hostages in Kogi and Kwara, arresting 129 suspected terrorists, dismantling a ₦7.7 billion telecom fraud syndicate, and approving large-scale promotions for over 26,000 inspectors.
Nevertheless, isolated allegations of brutality and the initial denial of the Kajuru mass abduction incident slightly affected the Force’s overall rating.
The NDLEA also recorded strong positive visibility, buoyed by cumulative enforcement statistics showing 77,792 arrests, 14,225 convictions, and the seizure of 14.8 million kilograms of illicit drugs. The scale and consistency of its operations positioned the agency as one of the most visibly active enforcement bodies during the review period.
Although NEMA recorded fewer mentions, its coverage remained largely positive, particularly for distributing relief materials to 2,088 rainstorm victims in Kano and supporting more than 17,000 internally displaced persons in the North-West.
Overall, the January 2026 review indicates that enforcement-driven agencies — particularly Customs, NDLEA, and NSCDC — achieved the strongest positive media visibility, largely due to measurable operational outputs, revenue performance, and sustained enforcement actions.
While security challenges and isolated controversies continued to attract negative reporting, the general sentiment across key institutions remained predominantly favourable. Analysts say the findings underscore the importance of transparency, tangible results, and proactive communication in shaping public perception within Nigeria’s evolving security and governance landscape.
By PRNigeria
