The Foundation for Peace Professionals (PeacePro), a prominent peacebuilding think tank, has raised serious concerns over a recent report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which claims that Nigeria experienced N2.23 trillion in ransom payments, 51.89 million crimes reported, and 615,000 deaths within a single year.
In a press statement signed by its Executive Director, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, PeacePro described the figures as “practically impossible” and called on the NBS to clarify its methodology and data sources. The organization also criticized the Department of State Services (DSS) for its reported invasion of the NBS office and arrest of its leadership, emphasizing that accountability should be achieved through investigation, not intimidation.
Key Abnormalities in the NBS Report
1. Ransom Payments of N2.23 Trillion
PeacePro highlighted the implausibility of the claim that Nigerians paid N2.23 trillion in ransom within a year.
This would mean over N6.1 billion was paid daily for 365 consecutive days.
Given Nigeria’s cash flow limitations and the covert nature of ransom payments, such figures lack credibility without verifiable data from security agencies or financial systems.
2. Volume of Crimes Reported: 51.89 Million
The claim that 51.89 million crimes were reported in a single year was also questioned.
This figure represents almost one-fourth of Nigeria’s population and would require every police station, of which there are fewer than 6,000 nationwide, to process an average of 142,000 crime reports daily.
PeacePro noted that police records, the primary source of crime statistics, do not reflect such high numbers.
3. Deaths Reported: 615,000
The report’s assertion that 615,000 deaths occurred due to crime-related activities raised additional doubts.
This would amount to 1,680 deaths per day, a figure inconsistent with mortality data from health institutions and organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO).
PeacePro pointed out that the figures in the NBS report fail to align with credible data sources such as police records, health data, and security reports. The think tank suggested that if the figures were derived from surveys or third-party sources, the NBS must disclose its methodology to regain public trust.
“The release of such questionable data, without proper validation, undermines public trust in national statistics and has the potential to create unnecessary panic,” the statement read.
PeacePro recommended as follows:
1. Clarification from NBS
The NBS should provide a detailed explanation of how the figures were obtained, including their data sources and methodology.
If errors are found, the bureau should retract the report and issue a public apology.
2. Independent Review
An independent review of the report by statisticians, security experts, and other stakeholders is necessary to verify its claims.
3. Strengthening Data Systems
The government should invest in building the NBS’s capacity to collaborate effectively with agencies like the police and health institutions for reliable data collection.
PeacePro reiterates that accurate, credible data is critical for Nigeria’s development and urged all stakeholders to prioritize transparency and accountability. While the NBS plays a vital role in shaping national policy, reports like these must be thoroughly validated to prevent misinformation and maintain public trust.
