A research firm, SB Morgen, SBM, Intelligence, has identified Port Harcourt, Lagos, Maiduguri, Jos, Calabar, Kano, Eleme Junction in Rivers State and Onitsha as the eight most dangerous areas for security threats in Nigeria.

In its findings, SBM highlighted major cities and highways prone to theft, attacks, and road hazards, offering critical insights into the country’s security challenges.

The report noted that Port Harcourt is the most perilous city, with 85 reported incidents, primarily involving violent crimes such as armed robbery and kidnapping.

According to the report, Maiduguri ranks next with 52 incidents, plagued by ongoing insurgent threats. 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.

Jos, Calabar, and Kano each registered between 18 and 23 incidents, with communal clashes and urban theft dominating the security landscape.

Eleme Junction in Rivers State, a strategic transport hub, accounted for 16 incidents, while Onitsha’s bustling trade routes recorded 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.

The report also highlighted infrastructural deficiencies, revealing that 84.6% of respondents had experienced or heard of security incidents on their travel routes. Only 42% considered the roads somewhat safe, while just 2.4% described them as very safe.

The survey underscored challenges such as potholes, poor drainage, and traffic congestion, which exacerbate road hazards. It called for “improved security measures to safeguard travellers” and enhance road infrastructure.

Nigeria’s roads remain fraught with danger, with uneven maintenance and inconsistent police patrols leaving residents and travellers vulnerable.

The findings emphasised the urgent need for strategic interventions to address these challenges and ensure safer travel nationwide.

The Nigeria Police Force, NPF, has announced that refusal to assist its officers under attack will attract a fine of N100,000 and prison term.

The force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi made the announcement in a now controversial tweet on Sunday.

While citing Section 99 of the Police Act 2020, Adejobi stated that anyone who refuses to assist a police officer in distress commits an offence.

“Section 98 Police Act 2020: A person who assaults, obstructs or resists a police officer in discharge of his duty, or incites any other person to assault or obstruct a police or other person assisting the officer in the discharge of his duty commits an offence. And is liable on conviction to a fine of N500,000 or six months imprisonment or both.

“Section 99, Police Act 2020: When a person is called upon to aid a police officer who is, while in the discharge of his duty, assaulted or in danger of being assaulted or resisted, and the person refuses to assist, the person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a N100,000 fine or imprisonment for a term of 3 months or both.”

The police made this public after a video showing a confrontation between a police officer and a woman went viral on social media.

Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested a 17-year-old boy named Jamiu Adebayo, for allegedly raping his neighbour’s eight-year-old daughter in the Aregbe area of Abeokuta, the state capital.

The police spokesperson, Omolola Odutola disclosed this in a statement obtained by DAILY POST on Sunday.

According to her, the suspect had lured the survivor into his parents’ sitting room, instructed her to remove her underwear, and then defiled her.

This led to blood dripping from the survivor’s private parts and when asked by her mother what happened, she lied that a stick had caused the injury.

Odutola quoting the survivor’s mother simply identified as Olabode, said she was away when neighbours called to inform her that blood was dripping from her daughter’s private parts.

The command stated that the suspect had been taken into custody and that a comprehensive investigation is being conducted to determine the facts surrounding the crime.

Odutola said, “The suspect took her (the survivor) to their bathroom to clean the blood, then instructed her to change into another pair of underwear.

“He also persuaded her to lie, claiming that a stick had caused the injury to her private parts.

“Detectives swiftly sprang into action and apprehended the suspect.

“A medical form has been issued to the victim and her mother for examination and reporting. Preliminary investigations are currently underway.”