EFCC secured 558 convictions, police arrested 1,950 in August, says NOA

From Okwe Obi, Abuja

The National Orientation Agency (NOA), has disclosed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) secured 588 convictions and recovered N21.06 billion in August.

It also revealed that the Police Force  arrested 1,950 suspects and rescued 141 victims, in the same month.

NOA Director General, Lanre Issa-Onilu, who stated this at the second monthly Joint Press Security Press Briefing, yesterday in Abuja, further disclosed that the Army executed 261 operations, the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) seized 66,255.81kg of narcotics.

According to him, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) strengthened border control, approving 10,803 visas, with targeted denials, and trafficking victims intercepted.

Issa-Onilu 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).

He added: “In Zamfara, 30 terrorists were neutralised during air and ground strikes, while 76 militants, including women and children, surrendered to security forces. Troops also foiled an ISWAP ambush in Borno State, freeing stranded passengers.”

According to him, the impressive outcome was a a result of 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 declared that, “when intelligence meets joint action, kidnappers, gunrunners, and traffickers fail.”