The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, has declared that Nigeria is “winning the war on insecurity and corruption through data-driven collaboration and transparent governance,” as new statistics show a nationwide decline in violent crimes, increased recoveries from corruption, and rising public confidence in security agencies.
By Chimezie Godfrey
The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, has declared that Nigeria is “winning the war on insecurity and corruption through data-driven collaboration and transparent governance,” as new statistics show a nationwide decline in violent crimes, increased recoveries from corruption, and rising public confidence in security agencies.
Issa-Onilu made this disclosure at the October 2025 edition of the Joint Security Press Briefing (JSPB) held at the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja, where he presented what he described as “evidence-based progress in Nigeria’s national security and accountability architecture.”
“What we have today is not rhetoric — it is measurable progress,” Issa-Onilu stated firmly.“For the first time in many years, Nigeria’s security and anti-corruption agencies are working within a single intelligence and communication ecosystem. This is the Renewed Hope Agenda in action.”
Presenting fresh national security data, the NOA DG revealed that fatalities from violent crimes fell by 12% between September and October 2025, dropping from 210 to 185, while arrests of major suspects increased by 33% due to stronger intelligence coordination among the military, police, and intelligence agencies.
“These figures prove that our security forces are no longer operating in isolation,” Issa-Onilu said. “The shift from reactive to preventive security operations means lives are being saved before threats escalate.”
According to him, the rescue of abducted victims also rose by 40% across hotspots in Kogi, Zamfara, and Kaduna, while cross-border interventions increased from four to seven, following closer collaboration between the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), and the Department of State Services (DSS).
“This new tempo of cooperation has redefined inter-agency synergy,” he stressed. “Security is now built on intelligence, coordination, and community engagement.”
Turning to anti-corruption, Issa-Onilu revealed that both the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have sustained a strong enforcement tempo, leading to record asset recoveries.
According to him, the ICPC received 44 petitions, concluded 15 investigations, filed five new cases, and recovered ₦840 million and $919,000 in October alone.
He added that under EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, the Commission recovered a cumulative ₦566.3 billion and $411.6 million between 2023 and 2025, with over 1,500 properties forfeited and part of the recovered funds reinvested in students’ loan and consumer credit schemes.
“This is Renewed Hope Accountability in practice,” Issa-Onilu emphasized.
“For the first time, recovered loots are being recycled into the economy — to fund education, credit, and healthcare, not to sit idle in government coffers.”
In what he called “a new season of consequence and professionalism,” the NOA boss highlighted multiple breakthroughs across regulatory and enforcement agencies.
”NAFDAC seized 70 containers of fake or substandard goods and shut down illegal warehouses in Lagos and Onitsha.
”NDLEA dismantled 14 major drug syndicates, arrested 1,378 suspects, and secured 251 convictions in October alone.
”NIS rescued 76 victims of human trafficking and processed 15,000 digital visa applications under its modernized migration system.
”FRSC recorded a 12% drop in fatal crashes during the Ember Months awareness campaign.
”NCoS expanded inmate rehabilitation and mental health outreach in correctional centers nationwide.
“The numbers tell a clear story,” Issa-Onilu said. “Government agencies are now operating on the principle of efficiency through accountability. Every enforcement action, every prosecution, every recovery is logged, verified, and publicly reported.”
Issa-Onilu underscored the role of accurate communication in sustaining public trust and preventing misinformation, describing information as a strategic tool of national security.
Between August and October 2025, the NOA reached over 32 million Nigerians through radio, television, and digital campaigns promoting civic responsibility, unity, and vigilance.
“Trust is Nigeria’s strongest security asset,” Issa-Onilu said. “We have learned that accurate information saves lives, while misinformation can cost them. In this digital era, communication itself is a weapon for peace.”
The Agency’s data showed a 28% growth in public outreach, 40% increase in fact-checking interventions, and a 39% rise in community partnerships, demonstrating expanding grassroots participation in national security awareness.
Issa-Onilu described the coordinated inter-agency framework as the “whole-of-government approach” — a model he said is already attracting global attention as an example of how democratic governments can synchronize security, governance, and communication.
“What the world is witnessing in Nigeria today is a strategic transformation,” he explained. “We now have a unified platform where data from security, justice, and civic institutions are analyzed together to support quick decisions and transparency.”
He emphasized that the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda is deliberately institutionalizing this model, ensuring that agencies share intelligence, track performance, and maintain direct engagement with the public.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership has given clear direction — no more silos, no more secrecy,” he said. “The system now works as one.”
Issa-Onilu made a passionate appeal to Nigerians to complement the government’s efforts by taking personal responsibility for peace and vigilance.
“Every citizen is part of Nigeria’s security architecture,” he declared.
“Be vigilant. Report suspicious activity. Verify before you share information. And always remember – your vigilance could save lives.”»
He urged citizens to collaborate with traditional, youth, and faith leaders to strengthen local intelligence networks and help prevent crime.
“Security does not start from Abuja,” he reminded. “It starts from the streets, the markets, the schools, and our communities.”
Concluding his address, Issa-Onilu noted that October’s data is more than a report, it is evidence that the country is at a turning point, moving from distrust to shared confidence between citizens and institutions.
“This is the clearest sign yet that Nigeria is reclaiming public confidence,” he said. “Our agencies are not just talking to the people — they are listening, learning, and leading through evidence.”
He reaffirmed that the NOA will continue to serve as the bridge between the people and the government, ensuring transparency in communication and promoting civic participation.
“Together, through courage, collaboration, and communication, we are rebuilding the moral foundation of our democracy,” Issa-Onilu concluded.
“Together we build trust. Together we build peace. Together we build Nigeria.”
Nigeria Winning War on Insecurity, Corruption with Data-Driven Strategy – NOA DG
