Over 4m Nigerian homes fall victim to robberies in 12 months

More than 4.14 million Nigerian households, representing 4.8% of homes nationwide, were victims of robberies between May 2023 and April 2024, according to the Crimes Experience and Security Perception Survey (CESPS) by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The report, released on Monday, provides a grim overview of crime trends across Nigeria, highlighting the prevalence of home robberies and the associated challenges.

The North-West region recorded the highest number of home robbery cases, with over 1.06 million incidents reported, followed by the South-South zone, which recorded 811,231 cases. In stark contrast, the South-West reported the lowest number, at 378,252 cases.

While both urban and rural areas were affected, the survey found a slightly higher incidence in rural communities, where 5.0% of households experienced robberies compared to 4.7% in urban areas.

Cash was the most targeted item, accounting for 65.4% of stolen properties, followed by mobile phones (55.3%) and electronic equipment (25.5%).

Despite the frequency of incidents, only 36.3% of affected households reported robberies to the police. Alarmingly, just 6.1% of those who reported were able to recover stolen items, underscoring the challenges faced in addressing such crimes.

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The report highlighted the prevalence of violence during robberies, with 55.7% of households reporting the use of physical force and 61.6% stating that weapons were involved. Knives were the most commonly used weapon (74.7%), followed by guns (57.9%). Tragically, 4.7% of households reported at least one fatality as a result of the robbery.

The North-West not only recorded the highest number of robbery incidents but also reported the most fatalities. Conversely, the South-West recorded the fewest robbery incidents and no deaths.

The NBS defined home robbery as an event where offenders unlawfully enter residences with the intent to harm or dispossess occupants of their belongings.

The findings highlight significant security challenges and raise concerns about the effectiveness of law enforcement and community safety measures in preventing such crimes.

This report underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions, particularly in high-risk regions, to improve safety and reduce the prevalence of violent robberies in Nigerian homes.