Security: Report lists Lagos, Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, others as danger spots

A report by the SB Morgen (SBM) Intelligence, a research firm, has listed Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, Lagos, Calabar, Jos, and other areas as the most dangerous spots for security incidents in the country.

The other listed areas were Kano, Onitsha, Eleme Junction in Rivers, and Eleme-Owerri Road, between Rivers and Imo.

The report, titled “Roads to nowhere: A bumpy ride through Nigeria’s roads”, explores the state of Nigerian roads and how the deplorable states of some roads, like Kano, hamper commercial activities.

The research firm noted in the report that insecurity is a significant concern on Nigerian roads, as 84.6% of surveyed respondents had either experienced or heard of security incidents along their travel routes.

“Insecurity is a significant concern, with an overwhelming 84.6% of respondents reporting that they had either experienced or heard of security incidents along their travel routes. A majority of 58% viewed the roads as unsafe, with 34.7% expressing frequent security concerns and 23.3% indicating significant fears of insecurity,” the report said.

“This highlights a prevailing sense of unease among road users. Hotspots such as the Port Harcourt-Warri route have emerged as high-risk areas for theft, attacks, and kidnapping, particularly during peak travel hours when commuters are most vulnerable.”

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The survey described Port-Harcourt as the most dangerous travel with 85 security incidents, surpassing the Abuja-Kaduna highway, which registered some of the most prominent security incidents.

Maiduguri comes next after Port-Harcourt with 52 recorded security incidents. SBM Intelligence further noted that the Damaturu Forest, Maiduguri Damaturu Road, and Daudu-Akeleku areas are commonly mentioned as danger zones.

Thrity-two incidents were recorded in Lagos. The report highlighted the Shagamu interchange and Lagos-Ibadan Expressway as major security concerns, with respondents flagging them as hotspots for criminal activities and road-related dangers.

Jos, Calabar, Kano, and Onitsha recorded 23, 18, 18, and 15 incidents, respectively.

Eleme Junction in Rivers and Eleme-Owerri road, between Rivers and Imo states recorded16 and 12 incidents respectively.

The report suggested strengthening security along major routes through increased patrols, surveillance technology, and community engagement as vital measures to restore confidence in the transport sector.