Nigeria Repatriates 105 Foreigners, Intercepts Trafficking Victims — NOA
Folalumi Alaran in Abuja
The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Issa-Onilu, has disclosed that 105 foreigners were repatriated between July and August 2025.
He made this known on Monday during the monthly National Joint Security Press Briefing in Abuja, organised by the NOA Headquarters.
According to Issa-Onilu, 50 trafficking victims were intercepted within the period, while 10,803 visas were approved in August, with some subjected to targeted rejections and queries. He further revealed that 368 Nigerians were deported between July and August, while five stowaways were intercepted and three Chinese nationals without valid visas were denied entry.
The NOA boss explained that, in line with presidential directives, border security operations now combine smarter screening with human rights–based management and survivor-centered protection. “Every rescued victim is a life put back on track and a smuggler removed from our communities,” he said, urging Nigerians to report smuggling recruiters.
On anti-graft efforts, Issa-Onilu highlighted key statistics: the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured 588 convictions and recovered N21.06 billion in foreign currencies, while the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) recovered N5.5 billion, returned $368,390.95 to the Central Bank of Nigeria, established six ACTUs in MDAs, inaugurated nine Students’ Anti-Corruption Vanguards, and secured two convictions.
“The government is recovering funds, reforming systems, and raising a generation that rejects graft,” Issa-Onilu stated, calling on the public to use whistleblowing channels, while urging schools and MDAs to strengthen civic education and anti-corruption structures.
He also outlined recent security successes, noting that interdictions between July 19 and August 14 led to seizures of ammunition, grenades, fabricated rifles, and high-profile arrests. These included a suspected kidnap mastermind linked to the Bingham University case, a female arms trafficker in Zamfara arrested with 300 rounds, and leaders of the Ansaru and Mahmuda groups. A kidnapped Taraba lecturer was also rescued unharmed.
“When intelligence meets joint action, kidnap syndicates and gun-running pipelines fail,” Issa-Onilu stressed, urging communities to report arms movements and ransom-related cash flows.
On police enforcement, he disclosed that 210 operations were conducted within the period, resulting in 1,950 arrests, the dismantling of 37 gangs, rescue of 141 kidnap victims, recovery of 111 firearms and 48 explosives, seizure of N250.74 million in cash, and the issuance of 278 press releases, 97 advisories, and 22 countered misinformation items.
Issa-Onilu assured that the NOA would continue translating complex security updates into simplified information to keep citizens informed of government efforts to secure the country.
