The Nigerian government's efforts to combat crime have been dealt a significant blow, as a recent survey reveals a staggering lack of trust in the country's police force. According to the "Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey 2024" by the National Bureau of Statistics, only 33.6% of households who reported murder cases were satisfied with the police response, indicating that a whopping 66.4% were left unsatisfied.

The survey, which covered the period from May 2023 to April 2024, found that households in Nigeria experienced an estimated 51,887,032 criminal incidents, with the North-West region reporting the highest incidence of crime at the household level. Furthermore, the crime incidence in rural areas was higher than in urban areas, with 26,526,069 and 25,360,963 cases, respectively.

Of particular concern is the high incidence of burglaries, with 4,142,174 homes falling victim to break-ins. Moreover, the survey revealed that 614,937 murder cases were reported during the same period. However, the police response to these crimes has been woefully inadequate, with only 33.6% of households expressing satisfaction with their response.

The survey also shed light on the disturbing trend of kidnapping, with 65.0% of households that experienced kidnapping paying an average ransom of ₦2,670,693. This lack of trust in the police is further exacerbated by the fact that only 36.3% of households that experienced robberies reported the incident to the police, while a mere 22.7% of victims of sexual crimes reported to the authorities.

The most common reasons cited for not reporting crimes to the police include a lack of trust in law enforcement, fear of reprisal, and the conviction that effective action would not be taken. In fact, the survey found that only 6.1% of households that reported a home robbery to the police recovered their property, further eroding confidence in the police's ability to effectively address crime.

The survey's findings have significant implications for the Nigerian government's efforts to combat crime and restore trust in its law enforcement agencies. As the country grapples with rising crime rates and a growing sense of insecurity, it is imperative that the government takes concrete steps to address the underlying issues driving this lack of trust.

In conclusion, the "Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey 2024" paints a dire picture of the state of crime and policing in Nigeria. As the government struggles to regain the trust of its citizens, it must confront the systemic failures that have led to this crisis and work towards creating a more effective and responsive law enforcement system.