Between May 2023 and April 2024, households across the nation experienced a staggering 51,887,032 crime cases, according to a report released yesterday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The 2024 Crime Experienced and Security Perception Survey (CESPS) revealed that an average ransom payment of N2.67 million was made during this period, with the total amount paid reaching approximately N2.23 trillion.
The report highlighted regional crime disparities, with the North-west recording the highest number of incidents at 14.40 million, followed by the North-central with 8.77 million cases, and the South-east with 6.17 million. Rural areas accounted for 26.52 million of the total cases, slightly surpassing urban areas, which reported 25.36 million incidents.
Home robberies were prevalent, with 4.14 million cases documented. Alarmingly, only 36.3% of affected households reported these incidents to law enforcement, citing distrust in the police and skepticism about effective intervention. On an individual level, 21.4% of Nigerians experienced crime, with phone theft being the most common offense, comprising 13.8% of cases. While 90% of phone theft victims contacted the police, only half were satisfied with the response.
Sexual offenses impacted 1.4 million people nationwide, primarily occurring in someone else’s home (27.7%) or the victim’s residence (22.2%). These crimes were rarely reported to the police, with just 22.7% of victims stepping forward.
The survey revealed public apprehension about safety, with 9.6% of respondents expressing concern about becoming crime victims in the next year. This figure rose to 13% in rural areas, compared to 7% in urban zones.
Regarding emergency response, 33.1% of respondents said security agencies arrived within 30 minutes of a call. However, satisfaction with police responses was notably low, especially for crimes like livestock and crop theft, with approval ratings of 42.9% and 42.4%, respectively. Rural communities often turned to local vigilante groups for support.
The CESPS study, which targeted individuals aged 15 and older, provided a comprehensive analysis of crime nationwide. Conducted across urban and rural areas, the findings offer valuable insights to guide security agencies, stakeholders, and policymakers in enhancing public safety and advancing Sustainable Development Goals.
Senate Calls for Nationwide Ranching to Combat Banditry
In a related development, the Senate has called on the federal government to invest in modern ranches across Nigeria to address banditry and improve economic opportunities for herders and local communities. This resolution followed a motion by Senator Anthony Siyako Yaro (Gombe South), highlighting the urgent need to address violent attacks in Gombe State’s Billiri Local Government Area.
Yaro reported that on December 11, 2024, armed herders launched assaults on villages, including Sansani, Kalindi, Powishi, and Lawushi Daji, killing residents, destroying properties, and displacing many. He cited constitutional provisions that guarantee citizens’ rights to life and freedom of movement, urging the government to fulfill its duty to protect lives and property.
Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau echoed these concerns, emphasizing the need for decisive action to prevent the spread of banditry into previously unaffected areas. Senator Seriake Dickson advocated for federally funded ranches to enhance safety and economic productivity, calling for a comprehensive approach to implement the initiative nationwide.
Dickson highlighted the economic challenges faced by herders trekking long distances and underscored the potential of ranching as a viable business model to address these issues.
Meanwhile, Senator Adams Oshiomhole urged a national public hearing to develop legislative measures addressing security challenges linked to economic activities and movement under the ECOWAS framework.
The Senate observed a minute’s silence for victims of herdsmen and bandit attacks and called on security agencies to investigate and prosecute those responsible.
