Nigeria’s Security Surge: Scores of Terrorists Neutralise, #21bn Recovered–NOA DG
….as FG Records Significant Improvement
By Raphael Ekpang
Abuja (Core Reporters) The Federal Government of Nigeria has made significant strides in its quest to tackle headlong the emerging security threats in the country, as well as anti-corruption. This, as the Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu revealed that security agencies, specifically the Nigerian Police Force has decimated 78 terrorists elements in its 326 operations carried out within the period in view.
Mallam Issa-Onilu who made this known on Monday, August 4, 2025 in Abuja during the August edition of the monthly joint security briefings of the agency said, the police made 2,109 arrest, rescued 175 kidnapped victims and dismantled six arms trafficking rings across the nation.
Also, he insisted that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s quest to enhance institutional accountability and international standing, has yielded result as the FG recovered #21bn and $1million through the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), as Nigeria made strides toward exiting the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, marking progress in global anti-money laundering standards.
However, Issa-Onilu, commended the coordinated efforts of Nigeria’s security agencies, stating: “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 stated that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has also continued its aggressive crackdown on drug trafficking–conducting 1,572 raids and seizing 2.9 million kilograms of narcotics, including 520 kg of tramadol and 7.35 kg of methamphetamine.
He noted that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) successfully resolved 720 community conflicts,and dismantled 12 illegal refineries, 3 illegal mining gangs, and 7 oil theft trucks, while the Nigerian Navy recovered petroleum products worth N752.2 million as the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) reported 2,838 road fatalities.
Also, the Federal Fire Service reported saving N319.5 billion in assets during fire disasters and improved emergency response times by 33 percent.
The government emphasized that drugs and illegal arms remain the oxygen of criminality. Security agencies recovered 12 AK-47 rifles, 2 GPMGs, and over 2,200 rounds of ammunition.
“Every drop of stolen oil, every illegal refinery, and every tampered railway track is an attack on our economy,” said the NOA boss. We must defend our infrastructure as we defend our homes”, the NOA boss said.
According to him, “NAFDAC also seized 10 containers of tramadol and five containers of expired tomato paste, further tightening the net on harmful imports.
“Efforts to bolster border security led to the rescue of 82 victims of human trafficking and the repatriation of 495 persons. The Nigeria Immigration Service issued 3,786 e-visas, facilitated the return of 214 Nigerians from Niger Republic, and received 110 deportees from Saudi Arabia for visa violations.
“Our borders are no longer gateways to crime; they are now barriers to exploitation and trafficking,”
On the humanitarian front, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) provided relief to 42 rescued Boko Haram captives and supported flood victims across 15 states.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) engaged over 209,000 citizens through 352 anti-corruption events, while NOA countered misinformation with 87 government press advisories.
The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) rehabilitated 15,000 inmates, with 800 enrolling in university programs.
“Security is not only boots on the ground, it’s also food on tables, public trust, and youth empowerment,” Issa-Onilu stated.
The Federal Government, however, urged Nigerians to report threats and suspicious activities, reject drugs and arms trafficking, avoid irregular migration and follow legal channels, protect critical infrastructure, join civic education and anti-corruption campaigns and support reintegration of rehabilitated offenders.
The DG NOA emphasized that security is a collective duty. “Fellow Nigerians, today we reaffirm that national security is our shared duty. Our gallant men and women in uniforms are recording real, measurable gains.
“But security does not start on the battlefield; it begins in our homes, our values, our truthfulness, and our resolve. Let us protect what is ours, stand with our institutions, and unite behind the cause of a peaceful, progressive Nigeria”, he added.
