The Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey (CESPS) conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has unveiled staggering figures reflecting Nigeria’s worsening security crisis.

Over the 12-month period from May 2023 to April 2024, Nigerians paid an estimated N2.23 trillion in ransom to kidnappers, highlighting the devastating financial and emotional toll of criminal activities across the country.

The alarming ransom figure is part of a broader picture of insecurity, with widespread crime incidences reported nationwide. Analysts have described the state of security in Nigeria as one of the key factors deterring Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), further worsening the country’s economic woes.

The CESPS provides a grim snapshot of the security challenges Nigerians face, with a report of a staggering 51.89 million crime incidents experienced by households during the review period.

Among the geopolitical zones, the North-West region emerged as the epicenter of crime, accounting for 14.4 million incidents, followed by the North-Central region with 8.8 million. The South-East, while still significantly affected, reported the least number of incidents at 6.18 million.

Notably, rural areas bore the brunt of these crimes, recording 26.53 million incidents, compared to 25.36 million in urban areas. This highlights the vulnerability of rural communities, which often lack adequate law enforcement presence and infrastructure.

Kidnapping: The Dark Shadow Over Nigeria

Kidnapping has evolved into one of the most lucrative criminal enterprises in Nigeria, with devastating consequences for households. The survey revealed that 4.14 million households experienced home robberies during the review period, and 65% of kidnapping victims were forced to pay ransoms to secure the release of their loved ones.

The average ransom paid per incident was N2.67 million, culminating in a total of N2.23 trillion paid to kidnappers in just one year.

Despite the prevalence of these crimes, only 36.3% of home robbery victims reported their experiences to the police. The reporting rate for kidnappings was even lower, underlining widespread distrust in law enforcement agencies. Many victims believed that reporting the crimes would not lead to meaningful action or recovery.

Phone Theft Tops Crime Incidences

On an individual level, phone theft emerged as the most common crime, affecting 13.8% of Nigerians. Interestingly, this crime was also the most reported, with 90% of victims filing complaints with the police. However, the rating of police responses was mixed, with only half of the victims expressing satisfaction.

Sexual Offenses

The survey also shed light on the prevalence of sexual offenses, with an estimated 1.4 million Nigerians falling victim within the review period. Disturbingly, most incidents occurred in familiar settings, such as the homes of others (27.7%) and the victims’ homes (22.2%).

Despite the gravity of these crimes, only 22.7% of victims reported sexual offenses to the police.

Perception of Safety and Distrust in Security Agencies

The survey revealed that 9.6% of Nigerians believe they are likely to become victims of crime within the next 12 months. This sense of vulnerability was more pronounced in rural areas, where 13% of respondents expressed fear, compared to 7% in urban areas.

A major concern highlighted by the report was the slow response times of security agencies. Nationally, only 33.1% of Nigerians reported that security agencies responded to emergency calls within 30 minutes, leaving many citizens feeling abandoned during critical moments.

This lack of responsiveness has led rural communities, in particular, to turn to local vigilante groups for protection. These groups are perceived as more effective than formal law enforcement in addressing crimes such as livestock theft and crop theft, where satisfaction with police responses was as low as 42.9% and 42.4%, respectively.

Insecurity’s Impact on FDI

The worsening security situation has far-reaching implications beyond the immediate toll on households. Analysts have pointed to Nigeria’s insecurity as a significant factor spooking Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), which is critical for economic growth.

Investors are wary of pouring capital into a country where insecurity is pervasive.

Beyond security, analysts advocate for addressing the root causes of crime, including poverty, unemployment, and weak governance. However, the financial and emotional toll of crime, coupled with its impact on economic growth and investor confidence, undoubtedly demands a coordinated effort from the government, security agencies, and civil society.