The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, has noted a significant improvement in security synergy among the Nigerian military, Department of State Services (DSS), Police, and Immigration Service during the month of October.
He stated that the enhanced collaboration among the agencies has resulted in quicker interdictions and a reduction in casualties across various operations.
Malam Issa-Onilu made this known during the Monthly Joint Security Press Briefing for October 2025, held in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
According to him, the monthly engagement demonstrates the Government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and continuous communication with citizens on issues of security, anti-corruption, and public trust.
Malam Issa-Onilu said that no fewer than 56 major suspects were arrested by the security operatives in the month of October 2025.
“The Security synergy among the military, DSS, Police, Immigration Services and others improved measurably in October. Terror-linked arrests rose by 33 per cent, reflecting proactive use of human and digital intelligence. Rescues increased by 40 per cent, showing that security operations are shifting from reactive to preventive. Fatalities dropped by 12 per cent, demonstrating effectiveness of joint operations and to early warning systems.
“The Government acknowledges the sacrifices of our security forces and reaffirms that data-driven collaboration and citizen intelligence are central to sustaining national peace and safety,” Malam Issa-Onilu said.
The NOA boss also said that “the security agencies were able to bring down the number of fatalities in violent crimes from 240 to 185 in the month of October representing 12% decline.”
Malam Issa-Onilu also disclosed that the security agencies rescued 27 abducted victims in Kogi and Zamfara States within the period under review while 19 rescues were made in the previous month.
On the Anti-Corruption and Transparency update, the NOA DG said; “the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission received about 44 petitions, concluded investigations on 15 and secured two convictions.
The commission also recovered N840 million and $919,000 in the month under review. The Nigerian Government is ensuring that every kobo recovered from corruption works for the people—funding education, credit, and health reforms rather than lying idle. This reflects Renewed Hope Accountability—turning recovery into public good”.
According to him, there has been an increase in cross border intervention which rose from 4 to 7 incidents.
On the part of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Malam Issa-Onilu said EFCC has recovered cash worth ₦46 billion in 2025. While the last two years, it has recovered Total of ₦566.3 billion + $411.6 million recovered across 14 currencies. Also, 1,502 properties were forfeited in 2 years.
He said; “Part of recovered funds (₦100 billion) was reinvested in Students Loan Scheme and Consumer Credit Scheme. Recovered assets allocated to public institutions for service delivery. Every kobo recovered from corruption is being made to work for the people, Nigerians are beginning to see the impact of recovered assets in education and credit access.”
He commended National Agency for Food Drug and Administration Control and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigerian Immigration Service, Federal Road Safety Corps and others for their professionalism and remarkably improvements in October.
He further reaffirmed unwavering resolve to build a safe, fair, and accountable nation through coordination and transparency.
Malam Issa-Onilu said the enforcement actions increased by 28 per cent, convictions improved from 210 to 251, an addition of 19 per cent, noting that vehicle-crash fatalities declined from 235 to 210, an 11 per cent decrease. These metrics confirm a steady positive curve in national safety indicators.
He said; “The National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC seized over 70 containers of counterfeit and unsafe goods and shut down illegal warehouses in Lagos and Onitsha under the month in review.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, dismantled 14 drug syndicates, arrested 1,378 suspects, and secured 251 convictions.
Nigeria Immigration Service, rescued 76 victims of human trafficking and processed 15,000 visa applications under the new digital system.
The Federal Road Safety Corps recorded a 12% drop in fatal crashes following intensified “Ember Months”campaigns. The Nigeria Correctional Service, expanded inmate rehabilitation and mental-health outreach nationwide.”
Malam Issa-Onilu stressed that, due to NOA’s activities on national communication, security awareness and others, Public trust and vigilance improved measurably in recent opinion tracking and media echo of verified government information rose, while fake-news spread declined.
“October 2025 marked another step forward in Nigeria’s collective journey toward safety and trust. Together, through courage, collaboration, and communication, we are reclaiming public confidence in our institutions.
Together we can build Nigeria; let’s be vigilant, report suspicious activities promptly, verify information before you share and avoid spreading unverified news.
Also, partner locally, work with traditional, youth, and faith leaders to maintain peace; support enforcement, and cooperate with security agencies. Your information can save lives,”Malam Issa-Onilu said.
He further disclosed that NOA’s civic awareness and fact-checking campaigns reached 32 million citizens in October, up from 25 million in September.
“Information saves lives, but misinformation costs lives. Through collaboration and communication, we build trust, we build peace, and we build Nigeria,” he added.
The briefing brought together stakeholders from the security agencies and other regulatory bodies of the Nigerian Government.
Olusola Akintonde