Presidency: North West Records Highest Crime Rate, South East Lowest

The Federal Government has revealed that the North West region reported the highest crime incidence in Nigeria, while the South East recorded the lowest, according to the latest Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey (CESPS) released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communications, Daniel Bwala, stated that the CESPS aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of a data-driven approach to governance, emphasizing the administration’s focus on using data for socio-economic and security planning.

According to the report, the North West recorded 14 million crime cases, followed by the North Central with 8.8 million incidents. The South East had the lowest number, with 6.1 million cases. Other regions included the South West (6.9 million), South South (7.7 million), and North East (7.9 million).

Bwala highlighted that the report reflects the progress made in tackling security challenges nationwide. He noted that the 2024 data indicates a significant reduction in crime compared to the high rates reported in 2023, crediting the improvement to enhanced collaboration among military, paramilitary, and private sector security agencies under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.

Key achievements cited include a decline in kidnapping cases in southern Nigeria, reduced banditry and cattle rustling in the North West, and fewer attacks on schools compared to previous years. In the South East, there has been a notable decrease in the activities of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, following the arrest of Finland-based instigator Simon Ekpa.

The Presidency underscored that these developments demonstrate the administration’s commitment to addressing Nigeria’s security challenges and improving public safety across all regions.