…As Security Forces eliminate 8,034 terrorists, rescue 7,967 hostages — ONSA reveals
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed that Nigerians paid a staggering N2.3 trillion in ransom over a 12-month period, amidst the worsening security situation in the country.
The data, which comes from the 2024 Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey (CESPS), highlights the severe financial and social toll that crime continues to inflict on Nigeria. The survey, covering the period from May 2023 to April 2024, shows that more than 65 percent of households affected by kidnappings were forced to pay an average ransom of N2.67 million per incident.
In total, the survey estimates that 51.9 million crime incidents occurred nationwide during the period, with a significant proportion linked to violent crimes, particularly kidnapping.
The North-West region emerged as the epicentre of criminal activity, accounting for 14.4 million crime incidents. The North-Central and South-East regions followed closely with 8.8 million and 6.2 million incidents, respectively.
Alarmingly, rural areas were hit harder, with 26.5 million crimes reported in comparison to 25.4 million in urban areas. This disparity highlights the challenges faced by those living in less-policed regions, where crime rates continue to rise.
Home robberies were also prevalent, affecting over 4.1 million households. However, only 36.3 percent of these incidents were reported to the police, with the low reporting rate attributed to a lack of trust in law enforcement and scepticism over the police’s effectiveness.
At the individual level, 21.4 percent of Nigerians reported being victims of crime, with phone theft being the most common offence, accounting for 13.8 percent of incidents. While 90 percent of phone theft victims reported the crimes to the police, only half were satisfied with the police’s response.
Sexual offences were also a major concern, with an estimated 1.4 million Nigerians falling victim to such crimes during the same period.
Meanwhile, Nigerian security agencies, including the military, police, and other forces, have made notable progress in tackling crime. In 2024, they reported the killing of 8,034 terrorists, the arrest of 11,623 suspected terrorists, and the rescue of 7,967 kidnap victims.
Director of Legal Services and Coordinator of the Strategic Communications Interagency Policy Committee (SCIPC), Zakari Mijinyawa, at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), disclosed these figures at a press briefing in Abuja on Monday. He also highlighted the recovery of 10,200 weapons and 224,709 rounds of ammunition from terrorists and criminal groups throughout the year.
“These successes demonstrate the commitment and resilience of our security forces in safeguarding the nation,” Mijinyawa stated.
He also emphasised the security agencies’ progress in combating oil theft, a priority for the current administration. Mijinyawa revealed that security efforts had prevented oil theft worth N57 billion, contributing to a significant rise in Nigeria’s crude oil production, which reached 1.8 million barrels per day, in line with the presidential mandate to eradicate oil theft in the Niger Delta.
“The deployment of advanced naval assets, including personnel, helicopters, and UAVs, has been crucial in conducting surveillance and intercepting illegal activities,” Mijinyawa added.
Key achievements included the seizure of numerous illegal refinery sites and the recovery of stolen crude oil, disrupting major oil bunkering operations. Between August and November alone, the Nigerian Navy dismantled several illegal refineries, seizing stolen oil and arresting dozens of suspects.
Mijinyawa also commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for exceeding its revenue targets, collecting N5.49 trillion, a surplus of 8.1%. Meanwhile, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) conducted over 500,000 traffic stops, contributing significantly to road safety efforts.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) reported notable progress, arresting 14,480 individuals involved in the illicit drug trade and securing 2,867 convictions. A record 51.90 kilograms of heroin was intercepted at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) was also praised for its efforts in border management, while the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) reported the rehabilitation of over 30,000 inmates.
Mijinyawa further outlined the successful operations of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), which distributed 42,000 metric tonnes of food to vulnerable populations across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Among the key successes from January to November 2024, Mijinyawa noted the dismantling of illegal refinery sites, the recovery of stolen oil, and the disruption of oil bunkering activities, which have all contributed to an increase in crude oil production to 1.8 million barrels per day, fulfilling the president’s mandate to eradicate crude oil theft.
Mijinyawa also detailed the progress made by the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), which ensured the safe custody of over 80,000 inmates and supervised 50,000 offenders under non-custodial measures such as community service and probation.
The NCoS also provided rehabilitation for 30,000 inmates and facilitated the education of 2,000 candidates for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), alongside graduating 1,000 inmates with diploma and degree programmes from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
Mijinyawa expressed his appreciation for the collective efforts of the security agencies, emphasising that these achievements are critical to the nation’s safety and security in the face of persistent threats.