The latest Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey (CESPS), conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), has revealed alarming statistics about crime and security in Nigeria, with an eye-opening N2.23 trillion paid as ransom to kidnappers over the course of just one year. The survey, covering the period from May 2023 to April 2024, paints a distressing picture of widespread crime, with millions of Nigerians affected by various forms of criminal activity, including kidnapping, robbery, and sexual offenses....Read Full Article >>➤
A Deep Dive into Nigeria’s Crime Epidemic
The CESPS offers invaluable insights into the current security landscape, shedding light on the pervasiveness of crime across the country. According to the survey, a staggering 51.8 million crime incidents occurred across Nigerian households during the reference period. The report reveals how widespread these crimes are and how different regions are impacted, with the North-West suffering the highest incidence rate.
Regional Crime Breakdown
The survey highlighted notable regional disparities in crime rates. The North-West recorded the highest number of crime incidents, with 14.4 million reported, while the North-Central followed with 8.8 million. The South-East recorded the lowest with 6.2 million incidents. These figures indicate a significant concentration of criminal activities in certain parts of the country, while others remain comparatively less affected. Additionally, rural areas continue to bear the brunt of crime, with 26.5 million incidents reported compared to 25.4 million in urban areas, further highlighting the security challenges faced by remote communities.
Kidnapping: A National Crisis
The survey’s findings on kidnapping are particularly alarming. The report estimated that 65% of households that experienced kidnapping incidents paid a ransom, with the average ransom amounting to ₦2,670,693. Over the one-year period, an estimated ₦2.23 trillion was paid to kidnappers nationwide, a staggering sum that underscores the growing power of criminal syndicates operating across the country. Despite this, only 36.3% of home robbery victims reported their experiences to the police, highlighting deep-seated mistrust in law enforcement.
The Rise of Phone Theft and Sexual Offenses
Phone theft emerged as one of the most prevalent crimes, with 13.8% of Nigerians falling victim. Remarkably, 90% of phone theft victims reported the crime to the police, though only half of them expressed satisfaction with the law enforcement response. Sexual offenses also remain a significant issue, with 1.4 million Nigerians affected. However, the survey found that only 22.7% of victims reported these crimes, citing a lack of confidence in police effectiveness.
Public Perception of Crime and Law Enforcement
The survey also delved into Nigerians’ perception of crime, with 9.6% of the population expressing fears of becoming victims in the coming year. This perception was notably higher in rural areas (13.0%) compared to urban areas (7.0%), pointing to greater insecurity in less-policed regions. Alarmingly, only 33.1% of Nigerians reported that security agencies responded to emergencies within 30 minutes, reflecting a critical gap in emergency services.
Local Vigilante Groups: Filling the Gap
In rural areas, local vigilante groups have become a crucial part of the security apparatus, often stepping in to address crimes such as livestock and crop theft. However, satisfaction with police responses to these crimes was notably low, with only 42.9% and 42.4% satisfaction rates for livestock theft and crop theft, respectively. This highlights the failure of police forces to effectively combat certain crimes, forcing communities to rely on alternative forms of security.
Urgent Need for Police Reform
The survey underscores a troubling lack of public trust in law enforcement, with less than half of crime victims reporting incidents to the police. This critical gap in public confidence points to the need for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s police force. Policymakers and security agencies are now being called upon to address these challenges by enhancing emergency response systems, improving the effectiveness of law enforcement, and building public trust in the security infrastructure.
A Call for Change
With crime rates on the rise and a significant portion of the population suffering from its effects, Nigeria is at a crossroads. The CESPS reveals critical gaps in the country’s security framework, and it is now up to policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and local communities to work together to restore safety and security to all Nigerians. Improved support for victims, better police training, and increased funding for law enforcement are key steps that must be taken to tackle Nigeria’s growing crime problem. The time for change is now…..Click Here to Read Full Article ...Read Full Article >>➤
Be the first to comment