Nigeria’s North-west and North-east regions are the epicenters of a devastating crisis that claimed nearly 700,000 lives in the past year, a new report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed.
The report, titled The Crime Experienced and Security Perception Survey (CESPS) 2024, paints a grim picture of the nation’s security situation between May 2023 and April 2024. According to the findings, a shocking 614,937 Nigerians were killed during this period.
Out of this total, the North-west recorded the highest fatalities, with 206,030 deaths. The North-east, plagued by years of insurgency from Boko Haram and its splinter groups, followed closely with 188,992 deaths.
“This is a national tragedy,” said Dr. John Ibe, a security analyst. “The crisis in these regions has reached catastrophic proportions, with lives being lost daily to banditry, terrorism, and related violence.”
The report attributes these killings to a mix of socio-economic instability, political chaos, gang activities, and cultural tensions. It paints a clear picture of how rural and urban areas alike have been affected, though rural communities bear the brunt of the violence.
“In rural areas alone, 335,827 murder cases were recorded, compared to 279,110 in urban centers,” the NBS said in the report. The North-west and North-east have consistently been in the spotlight for the country’s deadliest conflicts, with banditry and Boko Haram insurgencies claiming more lives each year.
“In the North-west, it’s the bandits who roam freely, abducting people for ransom, killing at will, and terrorizing communities,” said Amina Bello, a resident of Zamfara State, which is at the heart of the crisis. “We can’t sleep in peace anymore.”
According to the report, the rural areas suffer far worse, with murder cases significantly higher than in cities. The situation is a direct consequence of lawlessness in many parts of the country, as law enforcement agencies struggle to maintain order.
The crisis deepened as nearly 2.2 million Nigerians were abducted between May 2023 and April 2024. The report revealed that ransom payments alone reached an astronomical N2.2 trillion, a staggering amount that has crippled many families.
The North-west was again the hardest hit, with 1.4 million kidnappings reported. The report showed that the North-central region followed with 317,837 abductions.
“Kidnapping has become a business for these criminals,” said Mohammed Musa, a resident of Sokoto, where kidnapping is rampant. “The kidnappers are well organized, and it’s only a matter of time before they come to your door.”
The NBS report indicated that 82.1% of kidnapped victims were released, but the rest faced horrific fates. Some were killed, while others remain in captivity. Kidnapping in rural areas, particularly in the North, has turned into a deadly epidemic, with victims being taken from their homes, vehicles, or even while traveling.
The theft of livestock, crops, and motor vehicles added another layer to the ongoing crisis. According to the NBS, over 51 million household crime incidents were recorded nationwide, with theft of livestock being particularly rampant in the North-west.
“Bandits steal livestock, which are the main source of income for rural families,” said Usman Adamu, a farmer from Katsina. “Without our cows, we cannot survive.”
The report noted that rural areas recorded a staggering 26.5 million incidents of household crimes, while urban centers had 25.3 million.
The theft of motor vehicles, especially in the North, is also a growing concern. The North-west recorded the highest number of car thefts at 603,756, followed by North-central with 246,329 cases. Meanwhile, the South-west recorded the least number of vehicle thefts at 140,144.
The report further highlighted that rural areas continue to be the epicenter of violent crimes. With more than 26 million household crime incidents recorded in rural areas, the struggle to protect life and property has become increasingly difficult.
In contrast, urban areas, though still affected, report fewer incidents of violent crime, with 25.3 million cases. This stark difference underscores the vulnerability of rural Nigerians who face a constant battle against armed bandits, kidnappers, and terrorists.