The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has strongly contested the National Bureau of Statistics report on Crime Experienced and Security Perception Survey, saying it is misleading, biased and detached from reality.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recently released its Crime Experienced and Security Perception Survey (CESPS) 2024, claiming that between May 2023 and April 2024, 614,937 Nigerians were killed, 2,235,954 kidnapped, and ₦2.2 trillion paid as ransom. 

In a statement by its National Coordinator, Jamilu Charanchi, the CNG rejected the report as flawed and lacking transparency, questioning its methodology and sampling framework.

The group argued that the figures, particularly for the North-West and North-East, are exaggerated and inconsistent with the region’s improved security situation. 

It cited the recent military operations, where over 22 terrorist camps in Kebbi and Sokoto were destroyed, which significantly reduced banditry and kidnapping incidents.

The CNG also debunked the claim of ₦2.2 trillion paid in ransoms, deeming it illogical for impoverished rural communities to mobilize such resources. 

Highlighting progress in combating insecurity, the CNG pointed to successful operations against notorious bandits and improved safety along routes like the Abuja–Kaduna highway. 

The group criticized the report for disproportionately portraying the North as a crime hotspot while ignoring security issues in other regions.

The CNG urged the NBS to disclosed its methodology, asserting that the exaggerated figures risk discouraging investment in Nigeria, particularly in the North. 

It called on the Federal Government and stakeholders to focus on practical solutions to genuine security concerns rather than relying on sensationalized data.