The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has declared that drugs and illegal arms remain the lifeblood of crime in Nigeria, stressing that the Federal Government is systematically cutting off these supply chains through intensified security operations, cross-agency collaboration, and strong leadership from the top.
In its latest security and governance briefing, the agency presented detailed achievements recorded across the country in recent months, noting that the results show Nigeria is “fighting back decisively and collaboratively” against threats ranging from terrorism and drug abuse to corruption and border crimes.
According to NOA, the Nigeria Police Force conducted 326 operations, leading to the arrest of 2,219 suspects. Within the same period, 175 kidnapped victims were rescued, 78 terrorists were neutralized, and six arms trafficking syndicates were dismantled. These, the agency said, are outcomes of coordinated missions backed by intelligence sharing across multiple security agencies.
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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) seized 2.9 million kilograms of cannabis, 520 kilograms of tramadol, and recovered 12 AK-47 rifles, two General Purpose Machine Guns, and more than 2,200 rounds of ammunition. NOA said these seizures strike at the core of criminal networks by removing the “oxygen” that sustains violent activity. Meanwhile, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) intercepted 10 containers of expired tomato paste, preventing harmful products from entering the Nigerian market.
Border security has also seen improvements, with 82 human trafficking victims rescued, 495 Nigerians repatriated from abroad, and a record 3,786 electronic visas issued – a development the agency says signals growing trust in Nigeria as a safe and regulated destination.
Efforts to protect the nation’s economic assets yielded significant results. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps dismantled 12 illegal refineries, disrupted three illegal mining operations, and intercepted oil theft worth ₦752.2 million. The Federal Fire Service saved properties valued at ₦319.5 billion from fire disasters and improved its emergency response time by 33 percent, addressing a long-standing concern over delayed disaster response.
Humanitarian support and civic engagement also featured prominently in the report. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) assisted 42 rescued Boko Haram captives and supported flood victims in over 15 states. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) organized 352 anti-corruption events and engaged more than 209 citizens, while NOA itself issued 87 press advisories to counter misinformation and promote civic responsibility.
On the anti-corruption front, the ICPC recovered ₦21 billion and $1 million, while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured 184 convictions for cybercrime, including foreign nationals. NOA emphasized that many cybercrime investigations have exposed links between so-called “Yahoo boys” and politically exposed persons, showing that such arrests are critical to dismantling wider money laundering operations. The Nigerian Correctional Service rehabilitated 15,000 inmates, with 800 enrolling in university programs — a step toward reducing re-offending and supporting reintegration.
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Nigeria is also moving toward exiting the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, with key milestones already reached. This, according to NOA, reflects growing international confidence in the country’s financial transparency and anti-money laundering reforms.
In its closing remarks, the agency called on Nigerians to play their part in safeguarding the nation by reporting threats, avoiding the spread of unverified information, and defending critical infrastructure from sabotage. “Security starts in our homes — with our values, our truthfulness, and our resolve. Together, we can build a safer, more prosperous Nigeria,” NOA said.
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