By Uzair Adam
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed that over 25 million phones were stolen in Nigeria between March 2023 and April 2024.
This is according to findings from the bureau’s Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey 2024.
The report highlighted that approximately 17,965,741 individuals experienced phone theft during the reference period, making it the most prevalent crime at the individual level.
It noted that 13.8% of Nigerians reported phone theft, which accounts for a significant proportion of the 21.4% of citizens who reported being victims of crime overall.
The survey further disclosed that seven out of every 10 stolen phones were taken either at home or in public spaces.
Despite this, less than 10% of victims reported these incidents to the police, citing various reasons for their reluctance.
Among those who reported, only 11.7% expressed satisfaction with the police response.
This report underscores the pervasive nature of phone theft in the country, emphasizing the need for improved security measures and better law enforcement responses.