N658bn Revenue, 2,547 Arrests, 212,000kg Drugs Seized in September — FG Report

By Al-Mustapha A. Mustapha The Federal Government has said security agencies recorded major operational and financial breakthroughs in September, with over 2,500 arrests, 212,000 kilograms of drugs seized, and ₦658 billion revenue generated across key sectors. Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Issa-Onilu, said this in Abuja at the October edition of the […]

By Al-Mustapha A. Mustapha

The Federal Government has said security agencies recorded major operational and financial breakthroughs in September, with over 2,500 arrests, 212,000 kilograms of drugs seized, and ₦658 billion revenue generated across key sectors.

Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Issa-Onilu, said this in Abuja at the October edition of the monthly Joint Security Press Briefing organised by the agency and other security stakeholders.

He said the data reflected growing efficiency, coordination, and intelligence-led responses across Nigeria’s security architecture.

Issa-Onilu explained that the improved synergy was driving a national shift from reactive responses to preventive security measures, resulting in major disruptions of criminal networks across the country.

According to him, the Nigerian Army conducted 196 operations across various regions, rescuing 76 kidnapped victims, securing the surrender of 30 terrorists, and dismantling illegal arms factories. The NDLEA arrested over 1,700 suspects, dismantled 37 drug syndicates, and seized more than 212,000 kilograms of narcotics.

He said NAFDAC carried out 40 enforcement operations, including joint actions with the Navy inside military barracks for the first time, while the Correctional Service foiled drug smuggling attempts into Kuje Custodial Centre and expanded rehabilitation programmes for inmates.

Issa-Onilu also said the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) responded to 589 crashes in September, rescuing over 3,800 people, recovering 10 stolen vehicles, and recording 252 fatalities. The Nigerian Customs Service, he added, generated ₦658.6 billion in revenue, intercepted firearms and contraband, and launched a one-stop-shop platform to improve trade clearance.

He said the Nigerian Immigration Service rescued 20 trafficking victims and repatriated 48 irregular migrants, while the ICPC recovered ₦446 million and secured three convictions from ongoing corruption cases. The NFIU, he noted, uncovered illegal mining as a major source of terrorism financing and began new collaborations to trace and block such financial flows.

Issa-Onilu said the period marked a visible improvement in Nigeria’s internal security response, driven by intelligence and prevention rather than reaction. “There has been clear improvement between August and September, not just in the numbers but in the mindset,” he said.

“Intelligence services are moving more decisively from response to prevention, intercepting arms couriers and criminal networks before they reach their targets,” he explained.