The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shared a very worrying report about crimes in Nigeria. The report is called "The Crime Experienced and Security Perception Survey 2024." It showed that over six hundred and fourteen thousand people were killed, and more than two million people were kidnapped across the country between May twenty twenty-three and April twenty twenty-four.


The report also said that about two trillion, two hundred billion naira was paid as ransom for kidnappings. On average, kidnappers asked for two million, seven hundred thousand naira for each person they took.


In villages, the situation was worse. More than three hundred and thirty-five thousand people were murdered in rural areas, while nearly two hundred and seventy-nine thousand people were killed in cities. Experts believe villagers were the ones who suffered the most, even though kidnappings in cities often made the news. The North West had the highest number of killings, with over two hundred and six thousand cases, while the South West had the fewest, with just over fifteen thousand cases.


Kidnappings were even more serious. In villages, over one million, six hundred and sixty-eight thousand people were taken, compared to about five hundred and sixty-seven thousand people in cities. The North West again had the highest number of kidnappings, with over one million, four hundred and twenty thousand cases. Most victims, about eighty-two percent, were freed, but nearly thirteen percent were killed.


The report also showed that over two trillion, two hundred billion naira was paid as ransom, with people in cities paying an average of three million, seven hundred thousand naira, and those in villages paying about two million, three hundred thousand naira.


Almost all kidnappings, about ninety-one percent, happened because kidnappers wanted ransom money. Only a small number, about two percent, were linked to political or terrorist reasons, and even fewer were because of family fights.


Stealing cars was another problem. More than one million, five hundred and eighty-seven thousand cars were stolen. The North West had the most cases, with over six hundred and three thousand cars stolen, while the South West had the least, with one hundred and forty thousand cases.


On average, Nigerians spent about eighty thousand naira on security last year. People in the South East spent the most, with over one hundred and thirty-five thousand naira per household, while those in the South West spent the least, with just over thirty-four thousand naira.


The report also asked people where they felt most unsafe. About thirty-two percent said they felt unsafe at ATMs, twenty-nine percent said they felt unsafe on public transport, and seven percent said they felt unsafe in places of worship.


Conclusion

This report shows how bad crimes have gotten in Nigeria. Too many people are being killed, kidnapped, or losing their property. Families are spending too much money to stay safe, and the fear of being attacked is growing everywhere. This is a big problem that needs to be fixed soon so that everyone can feel safe again.