Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, Lagos, Jos, Calabar, Kano, Eleme Junction in Rivers State, and Onitsha in Anambra have been identified as the eight most dangerous cities in Nigeria.

A report by SB Morgen (SBM) Intelligence, a research company, highlighted major cities and highways prone to theft, attacks and road hazards, offering notable insights into the major security challenges bedevilling the country.

Portharcourt tops the list as the most dangerous city, with 85 incidents reported, which primarily include violent crimes such as armed robbery and kidnapping.

Maiduguri and Lagos were ranked second and third, respectively, with 52 and 32 incidents. The former, the capital of Borno in the North-Eastern region, is plagued by insurgency, while the latter, Nigeria’s commercial hub, 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,” the firm said. “These incidents often lead to roadblocks and attacks on motorists, highlighting systemic lapses in government security provisions.”

Jos, Calabar and Kano each registered between 18 and 23 incidents, mostly from communal clashes and urban theft.

Eleme accounted for 15 incidents, while Onitsha’s busy trade routes saw 15 cases of theft and related crimes.

The report said the Port Harcourt-Warri route has now surpassed the Abuja-Kaduna highway in danger levels, noting the prevalence of kidnapping for ransom.

It also mentioned infrastructural deficiencies such as potholes, poor drainage systems and traffic congestion as contributory factors to incidents of insecurity, emphasising the urgent need for strategic interventions to address these challenges and ensure safer travel nationwide.