The National Orientation Agency has applauded the efforts of regulatory, security, and intelligence agencies for their continued commitment to reform, innovation, and stakeholder confidence, as well as their remarkable achievements in strengthening national security and maintaining peace across the country.
The Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Issa-Onilu, disclosed this during the monthly joint security briefing in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
The briefing organised by NOA is supported by the military, security and intelligence agencies and paramilitary and regulatory organisations in the country.
According to Mr Issa-Onilu, September was marked by strategic engagements, operational milestones, and collaborative initiatives that reaffirmed the service’s central role in advancing Nigeria’s economic transformation agenda.
He explained that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) recorded over six hundred billion Naira in September.
“In the month of September 2025, the Nigeria Customs Service recorded a total revenue collection of ₦658,605,400,392. This figure demonstrates the service’s sustained fiscal performance amid ongoing reforms and heightened enforcement efforts. It reflects the cumulative contributions of various commands and operations aligned with the broader strategy to strengthen revenue mobilisation and minimise leakages across the system. This initiative, complemented by renewed momentum on the National Single Window Project, underscores the Service’s commitment to digital transformation and alignment with international best practices in customs administration and trade facilitation,” he said.
The Director General of NOA explained that Customs has contributed a lot toward enhancing trade efficiency through the introduction of a One-Stop-Shop platform.
According to him, the innovation was designed to minimise cargo clearance time, reduce procedural bottlenecks, and ensure seamless coordination among stakeholders within the trade ecosystem.
“This initiative, complemented by renewed momentum on the National Single Window Project, underscores the service’s commitment to digital transformation and alignment with international best practices in customs administration and trade facilitation,” he said.
He further stressed that during the period under review, the Nigerian Army (NA) were engaged in multiple operations across the various zones of the country.
“A total of 196 operations were conducted during the period, resulting in numerous arrests, neutralisation of terrorists and other criminal elements, as well as rescue of kidnapped victims. The reporting period also covered records of casualties among troops and civilians as well as details of vandalism, prison breaks and public safety issues. Troops intercepted a vehicle conveying ten armed suspects wearing official security planning and anti-crime control uniforms. Similar remarkable successes were recorded by the Nigerian Army and others across the country, where weapons and many other things, including ammunition and cash, were recovered,” he said.
Speaking on the efforts by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NAFDAC), Issa-Onilu noted that the agency recorded a total of 1,703 arrests, comprising 1,509 males and 194 females, and conducted a total of 229 security operations, leading to the dismantling of 37 major drug syndicates.
“Out of these, 180 cases were charged to court, involving 168 males and 12 females. The agency secured 2 convictions, with the convicts being the only male. A total of 212,890.84 kilograms of narcotic drugs were recovered and seized. Assets recovered during these operations included 7 vehicles and the sum of ₦861,400.00 as drug-related proceeds,” he said.
The NOA boss also explained that the collaborative efforts of security agencies led to many arrests of criminals and couriers for bandits in Plateau, Niger, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Katsina, Benue, Zamfara and other states.
“Through a series of meticulously coordinated and diligently executed efforts, the ongoing operations have successfully degraded the operational capabilities of several significant criminal networks, thereby substantially enhancing the nation’s security framework. These decisive achievements not only disrupt immediate threats but also set a strong and compelling precedent, validating the strategic approach for continued and sustained operations by the intelligence service,” he noted.
On the Nigerian Correctional Service, Issa-Onilu said the Speaker of the House of Representatives registered a total of 65 inmates for NECO SSCE/NABTEB.
He added that the Centre for Legal Support and Inmate Rehabilitation (CELSIR) registered a total of 226 inmates in ten custodial centres nationwide, ensuring access to formal education and vocational qualifications.
“Routine and special security operations were conducted across custodial centres nationwide to strengthen perimeter defence, detect contraband, and prevent jailbreak attempts. Medical outreach programmes were carried out in some custodial facilities to address the health needs of inmates, including screenings, treatment of communicable diseases, and provision of essential drugs. Psychosocial support and counselling sessions were also organised to support inmates’ mental health and emotional stability. Officers of the service were also trained on modern correctional practices in line with global standards,” he said.
Issa-Onilu also emphasised that security communication is not merely about relaying updates but about strengthening trust between the government and the people.
The Director General urged citizens to see security as a shared responsibility, calling on communities to cooperate with relevant authorities by providing credible intelligence that could prevent crime and enhance national safety.
The NOA Boss further called for partnership among all stakeholders to rid the country of criminal elements, noting that security is everybody’s business.