Port Harcourt, Lagos, Onitsha Among Nigeria’s Most Dangerous Cities – Report

A recent report by SB Morgen (SBM) Intelligence has identified eight cities across Nigeria as the most dangerous, spotlighting alarming security challenges and risks to public safety. Among these, Port Harcourt emerged as the most dangerous, with 85 reported incidents, primarily involving violent crimes such as armed robbery and kidnapping.

The report also ranked Maiduguri and Lagos as the second and third most dangerous cities, with 52 and 32 incidents, respectively. Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, remains plagued by insurgency, while Lagos, Nigeria’s bustling commercial hub, experiences urban crime concentrated in high-density areas.

Other cities on the list include Jos, Calabar, Kano, Eleme Junction in Rivers State, and Onitsha in Anambra. Jos, Calabar, and Kano reported between 18 and 23 incidents each, largely attributed to communal clashes and urban theft. Eleme and Onitsha recorded 15 incidents each, with Onitsha’s busy trade routes being hotspots for theft and related crimes.

The report highlighted key highways and routes as particularly dangerous. The Port Harcourt-Warri route was singled out as more perilous than the infamous Abuja-Kaduna highway due to the prevalence of kidnappings for ransom. The Makurdi-Jos route was also flagged for youth gang violence and conflicts between farmers and pastoralists, often resulting in roadblocks and attacks on motorists.

SBM Intelligence noted that infrastructural deficiencies such as potholes, poor drainage systems, and traffic congestion exacerbate these security issues. The report urged the government to adopt strategic interventions to address these systemic lapses and improve safety across the country.