Alarming Surge: Over 25 Million Phones Stolen In Nigeria (2023-2024)

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has released a startling report revealing that over 25 million phones were stolen across Nigeria between March 2023 and April 2024.

Shocking Statistics on Phone Theft

The findings, detailed in the Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey 2024, indicate that an estimated 17,965,741 Nigerians fell victim to phone theft during this period. This crime has become one of the most rampant in the country, with seven out of ten stolen phones taken in homes or public spaces.

Low Reporting and Police Response

Despite the high prevalence, the majority of victims—over 90%—did not report their cases to the police. Among the small percentage who did, only 11.7% expressed satisfaction with the police response. This highlights a significant gap in law enforcement’s ability to address the issue effectively.

Phone Theft Tops the Crime Chart

The report also disclosed that 21.4% of Nigerians experienced some form of crime, with phone theft leading as the most common offense, affecting 13.8% of the population.

The reluctance to report phone theft to law enforcement stems from various factors, including a lack of trust in the system and perceived inefficiency in resolving such cases.