Ikeja, Island, Lekki top crime hotspots in Lagos

The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), on Wednesday identified Ikeja, Lagos Island, and Lekki as the top three hotspot areas with the highest crime rates in the state.

Pedro made this known during a ministerial press briefing held in Alausa, Ikeja, to mark the second anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office. He cited statistics from the Lagos State Criminal Information System (LCIS), which he said highlighted growing concerns about public safety and criminal activity in key urban centers of the state.

“Between January 2024 and May 2025, the top three crime locations in Lagos State were Ikeja, Lagos Island, and Lekki,” Pedro stated.

The commissioner further disclosed that the LCIS recorded a total of 74,962 cases/inmates across the state from 2018 to May 2025. He lamented the pressure on the state’s correctional facilities, which he said were operating at 106 percent above capacity.

According to him, the combined inmate population as of May 2025 stood at 9,096—far exceeding the infrastructure’s built capacity. He described the LCIS as a groundbreaking initiative aimed at automating criminal justice processes and improving efficiency.

ALSO READ: Alleged budget padding: Obi upraids corruption, says Nigeria now ‘crime scene’

Pedro, citing the report, said over 10,000 suspects and cases were processed between January 2024 and May 2025, noting that 64 percent of convictions during that period were achieved through plea bargains.

He also stated that the data indicated a significant number of suspects processed through the system were of Ogun and Oyo origin, surpassing those from other states.

“It (LCIS) serves as a digital repository of all criminal cases pending in magistrate and high courts where defendants are in custody or on bail. It also includes biometric data, personal information, and offence records,” he said.

Pedro further highlighted financial support provided to complainants, noting that a total of N7.3 million was recovered on behalf of petitioners, with N3 million awarded through court rulings.

He also disclosed that the ministry, as part of its justice reform efforts, had launched a Public Advisory Centre to offer free legal guidance and information to Lagos residents seeking redress or navigating government services.

The Attorney-General reiterated the ministry’s commitment to leveraging technology and legal innovation to improve the state’s justice system and enhance public trust.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE