DG NOA Emphasises Citizen Trust as Nigeria’s Strongest Security Asset

By Promise Toyon

The Director General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu has emphasised that citizen trust remains Nigeria’s strongest security asset, stressing that no meaningful security architecture can thrive without public confidence.

At the October National Joint Security Briefing ,the media and key stakeholders were addressed at the NOA headquarters in Abuja. Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu stated that Nigeria’s security, intelligence, enforcement, and regulatory agencies maintained a strong operational tempo throughout September 2025.

He also added that the efforts consolidated earlier gains and further weakening the capacities of criminal and terrorist groups across the country.

Speaking on how the armed forces continue to shrink the space for terror and criminality, Issa-onilu, who disclosed that a total of 198 military operations were conducted nationwide, also added that the troops repelled attacks and neutralised 11 ISWAP fighters in Borno and Yobe States.

The DG, who noted that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) recovered N446 million and secured restraining orders on an additional N173 million pending forfeiture, also stated that the Commission’s preventive and public enlightenment efforts reached over 41,000 Nigerians through workshops, systems reviews, risk assessments and targeted social media campaigns.

He stated that the Nigeria Customs Service generated N658.6 billion in September, intercepted arms and surveillance drones in the Southwest, engaged manufacturers, and earned praise from the Airline Operators of Nigeria for its PR efforts.

For the Nigerian Police Force, Onilu made it known that the force made 2,547 arrests, dismantled 37 criminal gangs, recovered 212 fire arms, N250 million and 5000 litres of smuggled fuel.

On intensified efforts in tackling banditry in Kwara State, he said that a full army brigade was deployed to the state, with the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division relocating to directly oversee operations.

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In his address, he provided a lengthy reports on the achievements recorded by other security and regulatory agencies, including Immigration Service, NDLEA, NAFDAC, Correctional Service, FRSC, among others.

While appreciating the security and regulatory agencies for their dedication to national safety, he also commended the media for their role in supporting the fight against insecurity through responsible reporting and public awareness.

The security briefing was attended by representatives from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), NDLEA, NAFDAC, ICPC, as well as officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Information & National Orientation, among others.