Nigeria's South-East Region Records Lowest Crime Rate, New Survey Reveals

Nigeria's South-East Region Records Lowest Crime Rate, New Survey Reveals

A recent survey conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics has shed light on the state of crime in Nigeria, with the South-East region emerging as the area with the lowest crime rate. The survey, which was launched by President Bola Tinubu's administration, aimed to provide data-driven insights into security and crime trends across the country.

According to the 2024 Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey (CESPS) report, the South-East region, comprising Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states, recorded 6.2 million reported incidents, the lowest among the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. In contrast, the North-West region, which includes Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, and Jigawa states, recorded the highest crime rate with 14.4 million incidents.

The survey's findings also revealed a decline in crime rates in 2024, compared to the previous year. This decline is attributed to the increased collaboration among various security agencies, including the military, paramilitary, and private sector partners, under the Renewed Hope agenda. The report noted that key security concerns such as kidnapping in the South and armed banditry in the North showed significant reduction.

The South-East region's low crime rate is a testament to the efforts of the government and security agencies in maintaining peace and stability in the region. The region's performance is also a reflection of the strong community policing and neighborhood watch initiatives that have been implemented in recent years.

The Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communications, Daniel Bwala, noted that the CESPS report reflects the concerted efforts of the Tinubu administration in tackling the nation's security challenges. He also highlighted the administration's commitment to combating crime, citing the arrest of Finland-based agent provocateur Simon Ekpa, who had previously incited violence in the South-East.

In addition to the survey's findings, Bwala also emphasized the administration's efforts to address the economic impact of recent natural disasters, such as the devastating floods in Borno State. He noted that the government had provided significant support to farmers, including the release of 2.1 million bags of fertilizers and a N30bn grant to Federal Universities of Agriculture to promote mechanised farming.

Furthermore, the government, in collaboration with the World Bank, had earmarked $600m to repair 200,000 km of rural roads. This initiative is designed to improve food production and distribution across the country, with expected positive effects in the coming months.

The Tinubu administration has also made significant strides in addressing the country's economic challenges. Notably, the government reduced Nigeria's debt-to-equity ratio from 97:3 to 68:32 in just one year. The administration also paid off a backlog of forex arrears totaling N7 billion and increased the country's foreign reserves to over $40bn.

These measures, Bwala argued, are part of the administration's broader strategy to create a more robust and thriving economy that will benefit all Nigerians. As the country continues to navigate the complexities of economic development and security challenges, the CESPS report provides a valuable insight into the progress being made and the areas that require further attention.