FG Records 20% Drop in Fatalities, ₦566bn, $411m Recovery — Issa-Onilu
Folalumi Alaran in Abuja
The Federal Government says Nigeria recorded measurable improvements in national security and anti-corruption efforts between September and October 2025, highlighted by a 20 per cent decline in fatalities, increased rescue operations, and record recoveries by anti-graft agencies.
Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, disclosed this yesterday in Abuja during the October edition of the Joint Security Press Briefing, held in collaboration with the defence, intelligence, and anti-corruption community.
He said fatalities from violent crimes dropped from 240 in August to 185 in October — a 12 per cent month-to-month reduction — reflecting “a steady, positive shift in national safety indicators.” Arrests of major suspects rose from 42 in September to 56 in October, while the number of abducted victims rescued increased from 19 to 27, representing a 40 per cent improvement in rapid response.
Issa-Onilu noted that joint military and intelligence operations led to multiple seizures of arms and ammunition, particularly in the North-west and South-east, while cross-border interventions rose from four to seven, following expanded collaboration between the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the Department of State Services (DSS).
On the anti-corruption front, he said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recovered ₦566.3 billion and $411.6 million across 14 currencies, alongside 1,502 forfeited properties over the past two years. Of this, ₦46 billion and 125 properties were recovered in 2025 alone.
He explained that ₦100 billion from the recovered funds has been reinvested into the Federal Government’s Students Loan Scheme and the Consumer Credit Scheme, while several forfeited assets have been allocated to public institutions to strengthen service delivery.
Similarly, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) received 44 petitions in October, concluded 15 investigations, filed five new cases, and secured two convictions. It recovered ₦840 million and $919,000, tracked 35 public health projects, and inaugurated nine Anti-Corruption Units across public institutions.
“The Federal Government is ensuring that every kobo recovered from corruption works for the people — funding education, credit, and health reforms rather than lying idle, this reflects the Renewed Hope Accountability agenda — turning recovery into public good.”
He added that the NOA’s public communication drive reached 32 million citizens in October — up from 25 million in September — through over 50 radio and TV stations and digital channels including Facebook, X, YouTube, and Instagram.
“ Fact-checking interventions on misinformation increased by 40 per cent, while community partnerships expanded from 1,050 to 1,460 grassroots clusters nationwide.
“In the digital era, information itself is a security tool — accurate information saves lives; misinformation costs them, through courage, collaboration, and communication, we are reclaiming public confidence in our institutions. Together we build trust, together we build peace, together we build Nigeria.” He said.
