BUSINESS DAY
Nigeria recorded 2,854 phone thefts per hour between May 2023 and April 2024, highlighting growing security risks amid increasing dependence on mobile technology.
This was revealed in the National Bureau of Statistics ‘Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey (CESPS),’ which provided a detailed analysis of crime trends over the 12-month period. The report revealed 51.89 million crime incidents affecting households during the timeframe, with phone theft being the most prevalent individual crime. It had a prevalence rate of 13.8 percent and was estimated at 25 million cases in the reference period.
“The number of crimes experienced by individuals in Nigeria was analysed over a period of time. The results show that theft of phones (25,354,417) was the most common crime experienced by individuals, followed by consumer fraud (12,107,210) and assault (8,453,258). However, hijacking of cars (333,349) was the least crime experienced by individuals within the reference period,” NBS said.
Phones, especially smartphones, are major pathways to digital inclusion for many Nigerians. As of April 2024, there were 216.66 million active lines in the country, and about two‑thirds of individuals aged 10 years and older have access to mobile phones, according to the NBS.
With the world becoming increasingly digital, phones serve more than communication purposes. They serve as mini banks and the gateway into the lives of many individuals, making their theft concerning.
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