NOA Reports: 1,950 Arrests, ₦21 Billion Recovered, and 141 Victims Rescued in August

The National Orientation Agency has revealed that the Nigeria Police Force made 1,950 arrests and rescued 141 victims, while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission secured 588 convictions and recovered N21.06 billion in August.

The Director General of the NOA, Lanre Issa-Onilu, disclosed this at the second monthly Joint Press Security Press Briefing organised by the agency on Monday.

In its previous edition in July, the DG disclosed that the Police neutralised 78 terrorists, rescued 175 kidnap victims across 326 operations, adding that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps also resolved 720 conflicts.

Speaking during the briefing on Monday, Issa-Onilu said the Nigerian Army executed 261 operations, the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency seized 66,255.81kg of narcotics, while the Nigerian Immigration Service strengthened border control, approving 10,803 visas, with targeted denials, and trafficking victims intercepted.

In a further breakdown, the agency said the Nigeria Police conducted 210 operations nationwide throughout August 2025, made 1,950 arrests, dismantled 37 criminal gangs, rescued 141 kidnap victims, neutralised 18 terrorists, and recorded 17 personnel casualties and 42 civilian deaths.

The Nigerian Army executed 261 operations across all zones of the country, repelling an ambush by the Islamic State West Africa Province, neutralising 30 terrorists in Zamfara air-ground strikes, leading to the surrender of 76 terrorists, including women and children.

It added that in the war against corruption, the EFCC investigated 1,293 cases, secured 588 convictions and recovered N21.06bn, and foreign currencies $2,018,760 (N3,047,136,531.60), £74,450 (N152,105,965.90) €201,015 (N356,258,884.50), and 500 Canadian Dollars (N546,723.24).

The agency also said the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency, “recorded 944 arrests (809 males, 135 females). Of these, 186 cases were charged to court, securing 17 convictions, including two drug kingpins. Operations led to the seizure of 66,255.81kg of narcotics, 12 firearms, assorted ammunition, three vehicles, and N26 million in drug proceeds.

Issa-Onilu said the results “reflect positive outcomes from tighter inter-agency coordination, stronger intelligence-led actions, and expanded public-facing communication to counter misinformation in line with Presidential directives, in ongoing efforts to keep our country safe,” he said.

Source: Punch