Over 51mn Crime Incidents Recorded in Nigerian Households
…Ransom Payments Exceed ₦2.2trn – NBS Report
By Patience Ikpeme
A new survey conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed a staggering 51,887,032 crime incidents experienced by households across Nigeria between May 2023 and April 2024.
The Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey (CESPS) also disclosed that kidnapping victims paid an estimated ₦2.2 trillion (₦2,231,772,563,507) in ransom to secure their release during this period.
The report indicated that among households that experienced kidnapping, 65% paid a ransom, with the average ransom payment amounting to ₦2,670,693. The North-West zone reported the highest number of crime incidents at the household level (14,402,254), followed by the North-Central (8,771,400), while the South-East recorded the fewest (6,176,031). Interestingly, crime incidence was higher in rural areas (26,526,069) compared to urban areas (25,360,963).
Home robbery was a significant issue, with 4,142,174 households reporting such incidents. However, less than half (36.3%) of these households reported the crimes to the police. The survey identified the primary reasons for non-reporting as a lack of confidence in law enforcement and a belief that police intervention would be ineffective.
At the individual level, 21.4% of Nigerians reported being victims of crime, with phone theft being the most common (13.8%). While approximately 90% of phone theft victims reported the incidents to the police, only 50% expressed satisfaction with the police response.
The survey also highlighted the prevalence of sexual offenses, with an estimated 1.4 million Nigerians experiencing such crimes. These offenses most commonly occurred in someone else’s home (27.7%) or the victim’s home (22.2%). Public transport stations were identified as locations where sexual offenses were least likely to occur (0.9%). Alarmingly, only 22.7% of sexual offense victims reported the incidents to the police.
Public perception of safety revealed that 9.6% of Nigerians believed they might become victims of crime within the next 12 months, with this perception being more prevalent in rural areas (13%) compared to urban areas (7%).
The report assessed the timeliness of security agencies’ response to emergencies, placing the national average at 33.1%, with the average response time to an emergency call being less than 30 minutes. Approximately 4 out of 10 households had at least one interaction with state or local security forces during the reference period, while 1 out of 2 households had contact with the Nigerian Police. Only 25.7% of households reported crime incidents to the police after experiencing them.
Satisfaction with police responses was particularly low for crimes such as livestock theft (42.9%) and crop theft (42.4%). The report noted that many households in rural areas rely on local vigilante groups for security.
The CESPS, a household-based survey targeting individuals aged 15 and older, was conducted to provide national and zonal estimates, covering both urban and rural areas, for the twelve-month period from May 2023 to April 2024.
The findings are intended to provide crucial insights for security agencies, stakeholders, and policymakers to improve public safety and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The report paints a concerning picture of crime in Nigeria, highlighting the need for significant improvements in law enforcement effectiveness, public trust in security agencies, and overall security measures.
