CNG rejects NBS crime survey, labels figures “fabricated and malicious”

By Abubakar Yunusa

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has strongly contested the findings of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) 2024 report on crime and security, labeling its figures as “fabricated” and “malicious.”

The NBS report, titled Crime Experienced and Security Perception Survey (CESPS) 2024, claims that between May 2023 and April 2024, 614,937 Nigerians were killed, 2,235,954 kidnapped, and a staggering ₦2.2 trillion paid as ransom.

However, the CNG has dismissed the findings, stating they misrepresent the security situation in Nigeria, particularly in the North.

In a statement issued Friday, CNG National Coordinator Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi criticized the report for its lack of transparency and rigorous methodology, asserting that the data is “unfounded and a complete fabrication.”

The coalition questioned the survey’s sampling framework and representativeness, suggesting that the methodology lacked credibility.

Charanchi noted that the report disproportionately highlights the North-West and North-East regions as hotspots of insecurity, which he described as inconsistent with the “lived realities” of many communities that have witnessed significant improvements in security.

The CNG argued that claims of ₦2.2 trillion paid as ransom are implausible, given the economic struggles of many rural communities.

“How can impoverished regions mobilize such colossal sums? Even global ransom figures pale in comparison,” Charanchi stated.

The reported death toll also drew sharp criticism. According to the NBS, over 614,000 Nigerians were killed within a year, translating to more than 1,600 deaths daily.

The CNG compared these figures with casualty numbers from war-torn countries, including Ukraine, Sudan, and Gaza, deeming the statistics “preposterous and mischievous.”

The CNG highlighted successes in combating insecurity in the North, citing recent military operations that destroyed over 22 terrorist camps in Kebbi and Sokoto States.

Additionally, notorious bandits have been eliminated, and kidnapping incidents have declined in regions such as the Abuja-Kaduna highway.

“The report overlooks these significant gains, painting a bleak and inaccurate picture of the North’s security landscape,” the statement read.

The coalition accused the NBS of attempting to undermine economic prospects in Northern Nigeria by exaggerating crime statistics.

“Such inflated figures discourage investment and sabotage the region’s economic development,” Charanchi added.

The CNG demanded that the NBS disclose its data sources and methodologies to ensure transparency. It also urged the Federal Government to address genuine security concerns across Nigeria through practical solutions rather than relying on “sensationalized data.”