The Rivers State capital, Port Harcourt topped the list as the most insecure city in the country in terms of security threats, a report by a research firm, SB Morgen Intelligence has revealed.
SB Morgen is a Nigerian leading geo-political research consultancy, which focuses on market/security intelligence gathering on Africa countries.
Others cities identified by the report with a high security threat level are Maiduguri, Lagos, Jos, Calabar, Kano, Eleme Junction also in Rivers State and Onitsha.
The report also highlighted major cities and highways prone to theft, attacks, and road hazards, offering critical insights into the country’s security challenges.
According to the report, Port Harcourt is the most perilous city, with 85 incidents reported, primarily involving violent crime such as armed robbery and kidnapping.
Next is Maiduguri, the Borno State capital with 52 recorded incidents, with threats from insurgents posing the highest risk, while Lagos recorded 32 incidents, with urban crime concentrated in high-density areas.
“The Makurdi-Jos route presents another troubling scenario, with a blend of youth gang violence and farmer-pastoral conflicts.
“These incidents often lead to roadblocks and attacks on motorists, highlighting systemic lapses in government security provisions,” the report stated.
The report disclosed that Jos, Calabar, and Kano each registered between 18 and 23 incidents, with communal clashes and urban theft dominating the security landscape.
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Eleme Junction in Rivers State, a strategic transport hub, accounted for 16 incidents, while Onitsha’s bustling trade routes saw 15 cases of theft and related crimes.
“The Port Harcourt-Warri route has now surpassed the Abuja-Kaduna highway in danger levels,” the report added, noting the prevalence of kidnapping for ransom.
Beyond insecurity, the report highlighted infrastructural deficiencies, revealing that 84.6 percent of respondents had experienced or heard of security incidents on their travel routes. Only 42 percent found the roads somewhat safe, with just 2.4 percent considering them very safe.
The survey underscored challenges like potholes, poor drainage, and traffic congestion as exacerbating road hazards. It called for improved security measures to safeguard travelers and enhance road infrastructure.