The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has revealed a staggering increase in mobile phone theft in Nigeria, with over 250 million devices reportedly stolen between March 2023 and April 2024.
The alarming figure underscores the growing security concerns across the nation.
According to the report, approximately 17.96 million Nigerians experienced phone theft during the period, indicating that some individuals lost more than one device.
However, the NBS noted that only about 10% of victims reported the incidents to the police, citing lack of trust in law enforcement.
Many victims chose not to report their stolen phones, believing either that phone theft was not serious enough to warrant police attention or that law enforcement would fail to act effectively.
The report also highlighted the violent nature of many phone theft incidents, particularly in cities like Port Harcourt, victims who resisted were reportedly stabbed or shot, while others recounted their phones being snatched by assailants on moving motorcycles or from outside commercial vehicles.
One victims, speaking to newsmen, described how his phone was grabbed through the window of a bus while he was using it.
Such accounts underscores the need for increased public awareness and improved security measures to curb the rising tide of phone thefts in Nigeria.
The report serves as a call to action for both law enforcement agencies and policy makers to address the root causes of this alarming trend and restore citizens’ trust in justice system.
-9News Nigeria.
