Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Issa-Onilu, has announced that Nigeria made measurable progress in national security, anti-corruption enforcement, and citizen engagement in October 2025, with key indicators showing a decline in violent crimes, an increase in major arrests, and stronger inter-agency collaboration.
He dismissed claims suggesting there is a Christian genocide in Nigeria, describing such reports as inaccurate and a result of flawed intelligence from the United States.
The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, disclosed this on Monday at the October 2025 edition of the Monthly Joint Security Press Briefing (JSPB) held at the NOA Headquarters in Abuja.
Issa-Onilu noted that the briefing, organized in collaboration with security, defence, and intelligence agencies, reflects the government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and open communication on national security and governance matters.
According to the NOA boss, October recorded a 33 percent increase in the arrest of major suspects, rising from 42 in September to 56, owing to stronger intelligence coordination across agencies.
Rescue operations also improved, with 27 abducted victims freed, up from 19 the previous month, largely due to rapid response operations in Kogi and Zamfara States.
Fatalities from violent crimes dropped from 210 to 185, representing a 12 percent month-to-month reduction, while multiple arms caches were recovered in the North-West and South-East zones.
Cross-border security interventions rose from four to seven, reflecting deeper collaboration between the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the Department of State Services (DSS).
Issa-Onilu said the figures demonstrate measurable synergy among the military, police, DSS, and immigration services, adding that “terror-linked arrests rose by 33 percent, showing proactive use of human and digital intelligence, while rescue operations increased by 40 percent, proof that our security strategy is becoming preventive rather than reactive.”
He commended the courage and professionalism of Nigeria’s armed forces, stating that data-driven coordination and citizen intelligence remain critical to sustaining peace and stability nationwide.
On anti-corruption efforts, Issa-Onilu reported that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) concluded 15 investigations, filed five new cases, and secured two convictions in October alone, with recoveries totaling ₦840 million and $919,000.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), under its Chairman Mr. Ola Olukoyede, recovered ₦566.3 billion and $411.6 million between 2023 and 2025 across 14 currencies.
A total of 1,502 properties were forfeited in the same period, with ₦100 billion reinvested into the Students Loan Scheme and Consumer Credit Scheme.
He described this as part of the ‘Renewed Hope Accountability’ framework, turning recoveries into public good, saying that, “These figures demonstrate that recovered assets are now being reinvested into projects that directly impact citizens, rather than remaining idle.”
The NOA Director-General further noted significant strides by other regulatory and enforcement agencies in October: “NAFDAC seized over 70 containers of counterfeit and unsafe goods and shut down illegal warehouses in Lagos and Onitsha.
“NDLEA dismantled 14 drug syndicates, arrested 1,378 suspects, and secured 251 convictions; NIS rescued 76 victims of human trafficking and processed 15,000 visa applications through its new digital system.
“FRSC recorded a 12 percent drop in fatal crashes following its “Ember Months” campaigns; NCoS expanded rehabilitation and mental health outreach for inmates nationwide.
“Overall, enforcement actions increased by 28 percent, convictions rose from 210 to 251, and road-crash fatalities dropped by 11 percent. These are clear signs that the nation’s safety indicators are on a steady positive curve.”
Between August and October 2025, the NOA intensified nationwide communication on security awareness, civic responsibility, and national unity. The Agency’s outreach, spanning 36 states and the FCT, reached an estimated 32 million Nigerians through over 50 radio and TV stations and digital platforms such as Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram, and the AI-powered CLHEEAN network.
Public trust and vigilance, Issa-Onilu said, have improved “measurably,” as verified government information gained wider traction and misinformation declined by 40 percent, “Our message is simple: Trust is Nigeria’s strongest security asset,” he emphasized.
He noted that the NOA has expanded grassroots partnerships from 1,050 to 1,460 community clusters, advancing what he called “citizen-centered security communication.”
The NOA DG explained that the Joint Security Communication Platform, a coordinated effort among government agencies, is yielding tangible results, aligning security, governance, and public information strategies in what international analysts describe as a “whole-of-government approach.”
Issa-Onilu said: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is translating into data-backed outcomes, stronger security, greater transparency, and restored citizen confidence.”
Issa-Onilu urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and collaborative, emphasizing that national security requires active citizen participation.
He called on the public to: “Report suspicious activities promptly; Verify information before sharing it; Partner with community, youth, and faith leaders to promote peace; Cooperate with law enforcement agencies, as “your information can save lives.”
Issa-Onilu said 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 build trust. Together we build peace. Together we build Nigeria.”