FG intensifies security operations, warns against sabotage

The federal government has intensified its crackdown on insecurity, warning that acts of sabotage, including oil theft, vandalism, and misinformation, are direct threats to the nation’s economic stability and collective peace. The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Issa-Onilu, disclosed this on Monday at the maiden edition of the Monthly Joint Security Press […]

The federal government has intensified its crackdown on insecurity, warning that acts of sabotage, including oil theft, vandalism, and misinformation, are direct threats to the nation’s economic stability and collective peace.

The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Issa-Onilu, disclosed this on Monday at the maiden edition of the Monthly Joint Security Press Briefing held at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.

He said the briefing, which will now hold every first Monday of the month, is designed to give Nigerians verified updates from security and paramilitary agencies. He explained that the aim is to foster transparency, rebuild public trust, and curb the spread of fake news in the country.

Issa-Onilu noted that in the past month alone, the Nigeria Police conducted 326 operations, leading to 2,109 arrests, the dismantling of 62 criminal gangs, and the rescue of 175 kidnap victims. He said 78 suspected terrorists were neutralised during the period, while the operations also recorded the death of 16 police officers and 49 civilians.

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He said security agencies recovered 142 firearms, 1,730 rounds of ammunition, and seized narcotics and other banned substances, including cannabis sativa, tramadol, Exol, pregabalin, and dozens of bottles of lethal concoctions like “suck and die.” He added that asset recoveries included 79 vehicles, 10 tricycles, 17 motorcycles, and over N10 million in cash.

“Our forces are reclaiming the peace from the North-East to the Niger Delta, one operation at a time,” he said. “Nigeria is fighting back decisively and collaboratively.”

He explained that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) dismantled 12 illegal refineries, three illegal mining gangs, and seized seven trucks involved in oil theft. He added that these operations are striking at the “oxygen of criminality” and protecting the country’s economic lifelines.

“Every drop of stolen oil, every illegal refinery, and every tampered railway track is an attack on our economy,” he said. “We must defend our national infrastructure as we defend our homes.”

On international cooperation, he said Nigeria had made significant progress toward exiting the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list. He said the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) recovered over N21 billion and $1 million within the month under review.

He added that the country’s institutional reforms were deepening financial integrity, enhancing transparency, and earning Nigeria global credibility. He urged citizens to support whistleblowing platforms and stand against corruption, particularly in public service and community leadership

“The path to national security is not paved solely by bullets and battalions,” he said. “It starts with truth in our homes, unity in our communities, and integrity in our institutions.”

Issa-Onilu called on youths and community leaders to support security agencies and defend their environments against crime. He warned that spreading misinformation not only endangers lives but weakens national cohesion.

“Security does not begin on the battlefield,” he said. “It begins with values—our truthfulness, our vigilance, and our shared resolve to protect this country.”

He said the NOA expects future security reports to reflect only statistics within the specific month being reviewed, to ensure consistency and clarity going forward.