- Crime/insecurity ranks second among the most important problems that Nigerians want their government to address (Figure 1).
- The share of citizens who say they or a family member felt unsafe walking in their neighbourhood at least once during the previous year almost doubled between 2017 and 2022, from 33% to 61% (Figure 2).
- In response to a similar question in the 2024 survey, 63% of respondents say they or a family member felt unsafe at home or in their neighbourhood at least once during the past year.
- Eight out of 10 Nigerians (79%) say abduction/kidnapping is a serious problem in the country, including nearly half (48%) who say the problem is “very serious” (Figure 3).
- One-third (33%) of respondents say they personally know someone who has been abducted or kidnapped in the past five years (Figure 4).
- About two-thirds (68%) of citizens say security agencies are handling the abduction/kidnapping of Nigerians “fairly badly” or “very badly” (Figure 5).
- Asked what they think is the most important solution to the problem of abductions and kidnappings, respondents most frequently cite increasing economic opportunities for all citizens (31%), enhancing the capacity of the country’s security agencies (26%), and imposing stiffer punishments, ranging up to the death penalty, for perpetrators (22%) (Figure 6).
An overwhelming majority of Nigerians say abduction and kidnapping are grave national problems, with many expressing deep concerns about their personal safety and the inability of security agencies to address the crisis, the latest Afrobarometer survey reveals.
Citizens rank crime/insecurity as one of the most important problems they want the government to address. Many report feeling unsafe in their communities and personally knowing someone who has been kidnapped in recent years, and public confidence in the ability of security agencies to respond effectively to these incidents is low.
Citizens identify improved economic opportunities, stronger security forces, and harsher penalties as the top solutions to the abduction/kidnapping crisis.
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