The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has announced that Nigeria’s security and regulatory bodies carried out extensive operations across the country in August, leading to numerous arrests, significant drug confiscations, asset recoveries, and a high number of convictions.
Lanre Issa-Onilu, the Director-General of NOA, shared these statistics during the monthly joint security briefing held in Abuja on Monday, highlighting the achievements as a testament to enhanced collaboration among agencies and intelligence-driven strategies.
He reported that the Nigerian Army conducted 261 missions nationwide, successfully thwarting attacks, dismantling insurgent groups, and rescuing kidnapped civilians.
“In Zamfara State, air and ground offensives resulted in the elimination of 30 terrorists, while 76 militants, including women and children, surrendered to security operatives. Additionally, troops prevented an ambush by ISWAP in Borno State, ensuring the safety of stranded travelers,” he explained.
The Police Force recorded 1,950 arrests related to violent offenses, kidnappings, and banditry. They also rescued 141 kidnapping victims and inaugurated two new area commands, alongside upgrading five police stations in Benue State to enhance local security efforts.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) reported the seizure of over 66,000 kilograms of illegal drugs, marking one of the largest drug busts this year. The agency also bolstered its operational capacity by deploying 48 new vehicles nationwide.
Regarding the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Issa-Onilu noted that the commission achieved 588 convictions in August, recovering assets exceeding ₦21 billion from corruption-related cases. These outcomes reflect the government’s commitment to fighting graft and reforming the financial sector.
Furthermore, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) confiscated 17 containers filled with counterfeit and hazardous products, issuing a stern warning about the dangers posed by unregulated goods to public health.
Issa-Onilu emphasized that the success of these operations is largely due to effective intelligence sharing and active public participation in reporting suspicious activities.
He encouraged communities to remain vigilant, especially along key transit routes, and cautioned against spreading unverified information that could incite unnecessary fear.
“Each intercepted drug shipment represents a community protected from harm. Every conviction sends a strong message that corruption will not be tolerated. And every rescued victim is a life restored,” he affirmed.
The NOA chief also revealed that the agency has mobilized its offices across all 36 states and 774 local government areas to deepen grassroots engagement through town hall meetings, rallies, and awareness campaigns.
He stressed that combating misinformation and keeping citizens updated on security progress remain top priorities.
While acknowledging ongoing challenges such as casualties among troops, vandalism, and communal conflicts in certain regions, Issa-Onilu maintained that operational capabilities have strengthened and that responses are increasingly proactive.
“The message is unmistakable: when intelligence is combined with coordinated action, kidnappers, arms traffickers, and criminals are defeated,” he concluded.
